Stockport hang on to deny Macc win

BEFORE their draw against Sale, Macclesfield CC 1st XI were in action against Stockport CC 1st XI. The away side lost the toss and were put into bat by Stockport.

Khalid Sawas and Jim Melrose opened the batting and were approaching the 100mark when Stockport struck through George Barber, who produced a good delivery to bowl Melrose for 28, 89-1.

Peter Barron came to the crease and pushed the singles around with Sawas, who had already passed his 50 and was looking well-set for another big score.

Sawas and Barron added another 50 runs after drinks, before Barron was trapped LBW by Nasib Ullah for 28, 165-2.

Rob Porter went about supporting Sawas, adding the odd boundary along the way. Sawas brought up another terrific century, full of class and application.

When he finally departed for 115 off 139 balls off the bowling of Mike Eley (3-61), Macc were 206-3.

Craig Melrose blasted 30 off 17 balls, with two huge sixes, Porter finished on 36 off 38 and Will Smith hit 16 off 10 balls as Macc notched up 275-7 off their 50 overs.

After tea, Zafar Jatoi and George Barber led the way for Stockport until Craig Melrose bowled the latter, 59-1.

Jatoi, well supported by Ayden Van Eeden, moved to 50, with Stockport on 88-1 after 13 overs.

Macc eventually got the much-needed breakthrough when Van Eeden (13) edged Chris Moores (1-27) to keeper Jim Melrose, then very next ball at the other end, Rob Porter claimed the big wicket of Jatoi with his first delivery.

Tom Facer fell to Otis Palmes and it was 166-5 as Porter dismissed Ullah for a first-ball duck.

Macc took a firm grip with Stockport 197-9 as batsman came and went for the hosts.

The last 10 overs saw Stockport try to save the game as Porter (6-37), Tom Key and Chris France did all they could to find the last wicket.

However, captain Sam Edwards (36 not out) and Mike Eley (10 not out) stood firm and managed to block out for the draw, as the home side finished on 219-9 off their 50 overs. Macc take 15 points to Stockport’s 8.