Bolly hold out against Macc
MACCLESFIELD first team were forced to settle for a winning draw on Saturday, falling one wicket short of victory at local rivals Bollington.
Rob Porter starred with both bat and ball, top scoring with 86 in Macc’s total of 199-9. Porter then took five wickets as Bollington’s middle order collapsed in pursuit.
Bollington skipper Richard Hough (86*) batted throughout the whole innings in their reply of 170-9, Macclesfield unable to prise the last wicket.
After losing the toss and being inserted, the Macclesfield batsmen once again found it hard going early on. John Birchall and Khalid Sawas were both caught behind early on a pitch with plenty of movement and carry. Jack Ward proved to be Bollington’s biggest threat, bowling a weighty ball just short of a length.
When Alex Griffiths also fell to Ward to leave the score 49-3, stand in skipper Peter Barron joined Porter to create the match defining partnership.
The pair ran smartly and punished anything loose as they put on 118 together in 26 overs.
Some late wickets for Tom Horsefield (4-43) prevented Barron (56) and Macclesfield from pushing towards the 220 they looked set for, but they still knew that 199 was an extremely competitive total.
After tea Macc were frustrated in their search for early wickets. Opener Longhorn provided stiff resistance, with opener Craig Melrose repeatedly beating his outside edge from a probing length.
It wasn’t until the 28th over that Porter got the breakthrough score on 86.
Throughout the opening partnership Macc never let the run rate get away from them, and as the overs ticked down the game was still in the balance.
The Bollington batsmen had to now start taking risks, leading to Porter burgling the wickets of Henshall (28), Ward, Cross and Horsfield, somehow luring them into false shots.
At the other end John Birchall returned for a fantastic second spell, taking four wickets in a five over burst.
All were bowled by yorkers, proving too fast and slippery for Bolly’s lower middle order. In total Bollington had slipped from 135-1 to 170-9.
Macc left themselves 10 balls to take the final wicket, but just couldn’t quite find the magic wicket taking delivery. Yet with Bolly well on top halfway through the run chase it was a gritty and resilient display that shows the character within the side.
Down at Victoria Road the 2s and 3s came up against strong opposition, both falling to defeat in their games against Chester Boughton Hall and Timperley respectively.
Chester racked up 275-5, despite wickets for youngsters Jack and Harry Massey.
Ian Kenny’s 42 proved the main resistance as Macc were bowled out for 99.
Batting first v Timperley, the 3s posted 203 off their 45 overs thanks to Danny Ackerley’s 73 and Stuart Park’s 49.
A strong batting performance from Timperley saw them knock off the required runs three wickets down, Stuart Parks taking 2-33. with the
All three teams will look to go again this coming Saturday, with the 1st team hosting Stockport at home, the 2s travelling to Grappenhall and the 3s away at Ashley.
Bollington look to regroup next week as they take the long journey to Oxton.
Bollington 2nd XI got back to winning ways with a thumping 88 run victory away at Northwich.
Batting first Bolly compiled 186 all out thanks to an excellent half century from Cam MacKinnon, 40 not out from the veteran Rick Paterson and useful contributions from Matt Dawson (25) and Matt McKernan (16).
Chasing 187 to win the home side were on the back foot from the start of their innings thanks to tight bowling from Bolly opening bowlers George Barker and Oli Nolan.
In the 10th over skipper Matt Dawson turned to in-form spin duo Toby Phipps and Jos Collier on a wicket which had been conducive to spin in the first innings. The talented pair didn’t disappoint as they combined to bowl the hosts out for 98 in the 38th over with Toby taking a quite brilliant 6-39 and Jos supporting superbly with 3-31 to ensure Bolly took 25 points home from their trip to mid Cheshire.
The two young spinners now have 24 wickets between them in just 4 games at an average under 10! Bolly host Alvanley at The Recreation Ground this coming Saturday 19th May.