Pride in defeat to table-toppers
AFTER a good win away at Nantwich last week, Macc were back on the road again for the fourth straight game, but much closer to home this time around, with the short trip to local rivals, Alderley Edge.
On a very rainy day the start was pushed back and the match was reduced to 35 overs a side. Macc won the toss and decided to bowl first.
In form Birchall struck early on with a caught and bowled wicket to remove Calum Rowe, leaving the hosts 10-1.
The experienced Alan Day and the talented Khalid Sawas then moved Alderley past fifty through some powerful boundary hitting, with two sixes being struck by Sawas.
Once Sawas departed off the bowling of Marsden for a swift 20, Wilkinson proceeded to knit Alderley’s innings together, as wickets kept falling.
Day was out for a good knock of 37, off the bowling of captain Rob Porter, and Macc then took two quick wickets to leave Alderley on 106-5.
However, Ed Fluck wrestled the initiative back in Alderley’s favour with a quick 25, including three sixes. Aided by Wilkinson, the pair took Alderley onto a competitive score.
Wilkinson finished on 50 not out and the hosts ended on 178-7 from their 35.
Moores, Porter and Marsden picked up two wickets a piece.
In response the visitors got off to a shaky start, with the top three all sent back to the pavilion for single figure scores. Macc were now 36-3 and that soon became 52-4, when Porter was trapped LBW for 21.
Last week’s heroes, Harlan Greig and James Cross, came together and managed to put on 25 runs for the next wicket but unfortunately couldn’t emulate their matchwinning partnership at Nantwich.
Nevertheless, Cross still made a determined 31 this time around and was unfortunately given out LBW as he threatened another big score.
When he departed though, this left Macc on 85-7, and any real hope of victory had gone as the required rate kept climbing.
Moores (10) and Raja (12) salvaged some late pride for Macc by adding 27 runs for the final wicket, before the latter was caught at mid wicket in the last over.
In the end, Macc were bowled out for 119 in 34.2 overs, losing by 59 runs.
The pick of Alderley’s bowlers were Smillie (4-32) and Reid (3-22).
The win keeps Alderley at the top of the league, now on 230 points, while Macc are in seventh on 134 points.
Macclesfield 2XI and 3XI matches were unfortunately both cancelled due to the weather.
This weekend the 1XI are back in action at Victoria Road against Bramhall CC in a game sponsored by local firm East Cheshire Mortgages.
The club welcomes everyone down for a 12.30 start!