As we approach the two furlong pole of the season, whips were drawn and jockeys let out some rein and began to push as we arrived at Week 18 of the 2025 season with a long long trek out to Marple. One of the final midday starts of the season (yes they inexplicably go to 11.30am starts from a weeks next Saturday) meant a 9.45 departure from The UCG and upon arrival our esteemed leader Battersby called tails only for it to come down heads. On a worn used wicket the home skipper made no hesitation in opting to bat first, obviously knowing the track devoid of any kind of moisture was likely to crumble as the day went on.

This was one of our best bowling performances of the season and without the previous horror show attempts to catch cricket balls we managed to go to tea with Marple having posted a well below par total of 106 all out. The return of Joe Smith who is arguably the best fielder in the club brought an impressive hat trick of catches with other grabs snaffled by Potter at long on, McCormick at slip and the keeper Talbot. Picks of the bowlers were the evergreen Graeme Keenan with 4/19 and young Solomon Turner bowling with good pace to return 3/40.

Marple opened with spin at both ends and it proved a wise decision as Upton’s top order were blown away with both bowlers extracting high levels of bite, turn and bounce that were simply too good for the Upton batsmen. For the 2nd week in succession Sol Turner came to the crease offering absolutely zero respect to either spinner. His batting partner Andy Beacher attempted to calm him down but it was a forlorn hope as Solomon blasted his usual array of boundaries including a gargantuan six over long on that cleared the already massive boundary by 20 yards. After a partnership of 35 had taken Upton to 91/6 and just 16 runs to win, Sol Turner attempted one rocket launch to the moon too many and was caught at mid on. 91/7 and the game back in the balance. Beacher and Battersby both perished quickly leaving Upton 91/9 and it was left to Keenan who in recent weeks has become involved in 10th wicket partnerships of 51 and 35. This time he was left with Liam Sundve to attempt to chip away at the 106 total.

With Upton 2 runs adrift and Keenan on strike the spinner bowled the first ball of his over wide of the cre ase and wide of the blue line. Scores tied. The very next ball was a replica of the previous ball and despite turning back a touch was still the wrong side of the blue line and the umpire again signalled wide. Upton had won in the most bizarre of circumstances to muted celebrations. A wholly unsatisfactory way to win a cricket match.

4 games to go and Upton sit in 3rd place 24 points off top and more importantly 9 points behind Alvanley who are on an incredible run of victories. There will be no room for error in the next 4 weeks.