Langley strengthen hold on fifth

LANGLEY CC DAVID FRAME

LANGLEY 1st XI continued their recent good form and made it back to back wins with a hard fought success at home against a good, competitive Sandbach side.

Skipper Johnson won the toss and elected to bat. He opened with Brown and after a pedestrian beginning the duo increased the run rate, adding 67 in 21 overs at which point Brown was bowled for 41.

Johnson (25) was dismissed in the same fashion two overs later and when Hobbs was superbly caught in the deep for a duck, the home side had wobbled to 68-3.

Debutant Malik could manage only four as Langley struggled to 81-4.

Fortunately, Letven and Betteridge steadied the ship, with the latter striking three huge sixes in a half century stand. They took the score to 132, before Letven was bowled for 18 and the little fella soon followed again, bowled for a fine 41 off just 32 balls.

The lower order then chipped in. Pattison hit 21 and Berzins an unbeaten 18 as Langley posted 174-7 off their allotted 45 overs.

Kesteven, R.Jones and C.Jones all bowled well, taking two wickets apiece.

In reply, Sandbach got off to a great start as the talented Kestevan and Hard hit Whitby for 36 off the first six overs.

Frame then had Whitby (19) caught at deep cover by Pattison.

Nolan joined Kestevan and they continued to attack. The score reached 65 when Nolan (9) drove Frame to mid-off, where Letven held on to a good catch.

Frame then removed the dangerous Kestevan (28) who played on and was bowled, Betteridge bowled Brooks (9) and when Frame trapped Crampton (6) LBW, the visitors were 87-5 off 26 overs.

Bollan decided to attack, assisted by Taylor, and the score reached 111 when Malik bowled Taylor for eight.

Paton supported the aggressive Bollan, pushing the score to 138 and with the game evenly poised Turner returned to bowl Bollan for a well made run-a-ball 30.

The rejuvenated Berzins then claimed two wickets in his second over, bowling Paton (10) with a slower ball and Cotton (4) was adjudged LBW as the score reached 142-9.

The Jones brothers then decided to shut up shop and did a fine job until Berzins bowled C. Jones with the last ball of the 44th over as Sandbach were all out for 156.

For Langley, Frame toiled for 17 overs taking 4-35 and Berzins a fine 3-14 off five overs, backed up by a wicket each for Malik, Betteridge and Turner.

A great game of cricket, well played by both sides. Sandbach have some good players and their league position looks false, while Langley cemented fifth place and travel to Aston next week. ON Sunday, Macclesfield Town will be hosting a special recruitment afternoon at the Moss Rose. This day will include voluntary or paid matchday jobs ranging from kiosk assistants to stewards.

Members from several departments will be on hand to answer questions about specific roles within the club on matchdays and to discuss availability for the forthcoming season.

Roles included on the day are: Stewarding, Bar/Waitress Work, Refreshment Kiosk Staff, Turnstiles Operators, Ticket Office Staff, 50/50 Draw Sellers, Programme Sellers, Entertainment Co-ordinators, Information Assistants

The event will run from 2pm-4pm in the McIlroy Suite and is ideal for anybody interested in any of the above roles. If you have any questions about the day contact the main reception on 01625 264686 or email reception@ mtfc.co.uk