Rugby lads follow Silkmen’s lead in edging cricketers
WHILST the triumphant Silkmen were parading the National League trophy around the town recently, the chaps at the Macclesfield Rugby Club came to Victoria Road to show that they were no one trick pony, as they took on Macclesfield Cricket Club in T20 match.
Blessed with glorious weather, the cricketers decided to bat and were soon in trouble as ex County player Ian Tait lost his wicket in the second over (he was a bowler mind you!). And that set the tone of the MCC innings as wickets fell regularly, sometimes assisted by some interesting decisions by umpire Paulo ‘out of season Santa’ Fairclough. He can be forgiven as his thoughts were elsewhere as his beloved Bolton Wanderers were just about managing to avoid relegation from the Championship.
Fortunately, young Brad Porter took to the stage and whilst batting with last season’s 1 XI skipper, father Rob (who retired on 25), it was clear who was the more accomplished cricketer. The home side innings eventually closed on 156-9.
The Rugby Club opened with Billy Robinson and Sam Moss, who both showed great technique to resist a fully fired up Tait. A couple of early wickets were chalked off by umpire Fairclough whose use of goal line technology brought an interesting dimension to proceedings.
The Rugby Club innings was interrupted as players and spectators alike arose to applaud the arrival of their triumphant Under 12s who had just won the Cheshire Cup. Although ahead of the run rate at the drinks (beer) break, the steady fall of wickets had the cricket club marginally ahead.
However cometh the hour, cometh the man! Enter Frankie Barker who proceeded to hit Dave Bostock for a couple of huge sixes, including one onto the bowling green!
However, Bostock had the final say as he caught and bowled the back row forward, just short of his 50.
Helped by former 1st XI batsman Ben Marsden, MRUFC reached their target with two overs to spare. A thoroughly enjoyable afternoon played in good spirit, but interestingly not many takers from the home club for a return fixture with an oval ball! The key to Macclesfield Town’s successful season was the T20 match they played against the cricket club last year, so we are now expecting great things next season from the rugby lads!