Centre stage for thirds in cup tie
PETER BARRON AND MITCH MOORES
UNFORTUNATELY due to the wintry conditions across the north west last week, all of Macclesfield CC’s senior teams’ league matches were cancelled.
The firsts were scheduled to be away at Bramhall CC but the game was rained-off a day earlier, so both teams receive seven points. Surprisingly two matches in the league still went ahead.
This coming Saturday, Macc hope for better conditions when they entertain table-toppers Chester Boughton Hall in a home clash at Victoria Road.
The game starts at 12.30pm, with free entry to all.
Refreshments are available in the clubhouse and the club welcomes everyone down.
It promises to be a fantastic atmosphere and a great game of cricket, brought to us by the players and the match sponsor The New Shalimar Restaurant Macclesfield.
Although all Saturday fixtures were cancelled, Macclesfield’s third XI did manage to squeeze in a Twenty20 cup match on Sunday.
The thirds travelled the short distance to Alderley Edge for the second of three group stage games.
Having already beaten Stockport Trinity the previous week, a win would leave the thirds in pole position to qualify for the quarter finals by topping the group. Macc won the toss and elected to field first in the damp conditions. Alderley got off to a steady start with Macc’s seamers restricting the scoring.
After a few missed chances in the field, Alderley’s runs began to flow.
At 57-0 after 10 overs it looked like a platform had been set for a big score.
After some impressive death bowling by opening seamers Griffiths and Parks, Alderley were restricted to 129-4.
Macc’s response got off to a muted start.
Moores and Fairclough looked settled until three quick wickets removed Fairclough, Jain and Khan.
By the time Moores fell for 24, it looked as if Macc had left it too late at 54/4 off 12 overs.
A quickfire 30 from Longshaw, however, changed the complexion of the game.
After his dismissal, Bostock steadied the ship with a cool 27 not out to get the thirds over the line with eight balls and three wickets to spare.