Cup ambition
slightly through Dan Isherwood (11) and John Birchall, before Lawrence struck again to dismiss Isherwood to leave Macc on the ropes – the visitors having lost their fourth wicket with less than 50 runs on the board. Things didn’t get any better, as the introduction of leg-spinner Richard Halkon brought the wickets of Miles Bradshaw and Will Smith in quick succession.
Andy Moores stuck around, allowing Birchall to hit some much-needed runs for the away side. Once Moores was out, Lawrence’s fifth wicket of the innings, Chris France (14) carried on in a similar style, supporting Birchall and finding the odd boundary when he could.
Birchall brought up his own half century, in what was a defiant, resilient and disciplined innings, which offered Macc some hope as they approached the 100 mark.
However Sale fought back again as Halkon picked up his third wicket of the afternoon, when France was trapped LBW.
And not long after Macc were all out for 106 off 44 overs, with Birchall finishing on a well-made 69.
Lawrence was the pick of the bowlers for Sale, finishing with excellent figures of 5-32, whilst Halkon ended with an impressive 3-27.
In the field, Macc picked up an early wicket as Greg Gyves was bowled by Otis Palmes for 5.
However chances came and went as Macc just couldn’t take the all important next early breakthrough to put Sale under some pressure.
After a steady partnership between Viraj Sorathia (10) and Lawrence (24), Macc needed a wicket. And during the middle overs Will Smith and Rob Porter bowled well in tandem to do just that for the away side.
A flurry of wickets ensued including the wicket of Lawrence after a stunning catch from youngster Miles Bradshaw, who took a diving catch over his shoulder as the ball came down with snow on.
This little flurry of wickets left Sale on 47-4 and that soon became 54-6 as Macc continued to build pressure and take wickets.
The visitors kept toiling away and found yet another breakthrough, as Smith claimed his 4th wicket of the innings, leaving Sale on 76-7.
Palmes (2-32) then came back into the attack and had Halkon caught behind for a determined 17. With the score now 91-8, it was anyone’s game.
Unfortunately for Macc they just couldn’t take the last two wickets as Sale crossed the line in the 44th over, winning by two wickets.
Porter finished with figures of 2-19 and Smith a very impressive 4-32, as Sale take the 25 points, to Macc’s 3.
Last Thursday Macclesfield CC 1st XI lost out to local rivals Bollington CC 1st XI in their second T20 group game. Khalid Sawas made a sensational 94 as Macc hit 158.
Bollington chased it down with one ball to spare as former Macc player, James Cross, finished with a quite, superb, match-winning knock of 77 for the hosts, in what was a highly entertaining game of cricket.