Macc edged in Widnes chase
MACCLESFIELD CC 1st XI travelled to Widnes at the weekend, confident after having beaten Oxton CC in their previous match. Just like in the Oxton game, Macc won the toss and chose to field first.
Chris Moores picked up a wicket in the second over of the game as Macc got off to a good start, opening batsman Chris Kirby caught off a leading edge in the covers by Chris France.
Widnes responded through opening batsman, James McCoy, who hit a quickfire 32 off 23 balls.
However when he was bowled by Chris Moores, Macc started to build the pressure through plenty of dot balls via Craig Melrose and Moores (2-33).
And 43-2 soon became 47-3, as Melrose had Matt Burns (0) caught behind by brother Jim, Macc’s wicket-keeper taking a super one-handed diving catch to his right.
Widnes rebuilt momentarily before John Birchall bowled Mike Byrne for 21 leaving the home side on 73-4.
The big wicket of Majid Majeed followed at the other end not long after as Melrose (2-45) trapped the dangerous batsman LBW for 14. Widnes were now in trouble at 77-5.
However Alex Hewitt and Johnathan Campbell dug Widnes out of a bit of a hole taking them passed the 100-mark with no further loss of wickets.
Hewitt’s fluent 26 off 29 balls brought Widnes back into the game, but when he was caught at mid-off by Angus Thomson off Birchall, Macc’s tails were up once again.
Rob Porter then struck early in his spell to dismiss Qamar Hafiz (0), to leave the hosts on 123-7 and looking in real danger of being bowled out for less than 150.
However, Widnes captain, Tom Evans had other ideas as he went about supporting Campbell, who was now knocking the ball around comfortably.
The pair started to build a steady partnership to frustrate Macc.
Campbell and Evans then accelerated the innings on in what turned out to be a few expensive overs for the away side in the latter stages of the fielding session. The pair put on 56 before Birchall (3-58) bowled Evans for a well made 31 off just 40 balls.
Meanwhile Campbell continued to push on and moved passed his fifty as Widnes approached the 200-mark.
Widnes finished their innings strongly, losing only one further wicket in the last over as Will Myers (10) was stumped by Melrose off Porter (2-30) and Campbell ended with 65 not out off 60 deliveries, as he helped the hosts up to a handy score of 208-9 off their 50 overs.
In reply, Macc started off steadily through Alex Griffiths (8) and Angus Thomson (9).
However a flurry of wickets ensued as 16-0 suddenly became 18-3 in a matter of overs, as both openers were caught behind the wickets and Peter Barron (0) was caught and bowledCampbell (2-32) picking up two wickets and Hafiz the other.
Khalid Sawas and Rob Porter then batted calmly and patiently for the away side, showing all their class and experience to get Macc back into the game.
The pair batted sensibly and responsibly, whilst also making sure the required run rate didn’t get away from them. They moved the score onto 85-3, when Porter (27) was very well caught by mid-off, running backwards.
Macc then lost a few more quick wickets, as Birchall, Chris France and Craig Melrose departed, leaving Macc on 109-7.
Sawas continued in his majestic way and sup- ported by Jim Melrose, threatened to chase down the remaining 100 runs for victory.
The number three batsman, brought up his fifty and played some outrageous shots along the way, including two reverse sweeps for six. In total Sawas hit five sixes in another outstanding and entertaining innings.
Unfortunately, he was left too much to do and when he was caught for a brilliant 81 off the bowling of Majeed (3-42), Macc were on 138-8 and looking a long way from winning or even saving the game.
Jim Melrose was adjudged LBW off Hafiz (2-30) soon after Sawas’ dismissal, leaving Widnes with just one more wicket for victory.
Adam Longshaw (1* off 29 balls) and Chris Moores (2 off 20) did their best to salvage a draw for Macc, but with 3.2 overs to go, Moores was given out LBW off the bowling of Evans (3-36), as Macc were bowled out for 144 in 46.5 overs.
Widnes took the 25 points to Macc’s six.