Macc keep their cool in searing heat

MACCLESFIELD CC 1st XI played Upton CC 1st XI at Victoria Road on a boiling hot Saturday, in a game sponsored by The Thai Chilli Banana Restaurant Macclesfield.

The home side won the toss and elected to field first. Craig Melrose and Chris Moores took the new ball for the home side and it wasn’t long until Macc were celebrating the 1st wicket, when Moores (1-17) had Andy Roberts (4) caught behind off only his second ball.

Not long after Melrose took his first wicket too when he bowled Connor Smith (4), to leave Upton on 10-2.

Macc continued to build pressure through some tight bowling from the opening pair but Upton stopped any further wickets from falling for a few overs, taking the score onto 46-2.

But that was soon to become 46-3 as the introduction of Oli Marsden brought Macc another wicket as Dan Owen edged behind for 16.

Matt Owen (18) followed soon after as Melrose finally had him caught in the slips after bowling the opener twice off 2 no-balls prior to his dismissal. The wickets continued to fall as Melrose bowled with superb control and threatened the edge of each incoming batsman. Meanwhile Marsden (2-35) was also toiling away in the heat at the other end, producing some fine, fast deliveries, and he struck again trapping Darren Warburton LBW without scoring- Upton now 66-5.

The home side continued to take wickets fairly regularly from there on, as Melrose and Macc ensured the visitors didn’t get away.

Matthew Smith (12), Chris Stowell-Smith (6), Darren Leach (4) and David Williams (4) were the next four wickets to fall, with Melrose claiming them all with some beautiful left-arm seam bowling which was backed up with some good catches behind the wickets, including a brilliant one-handed diving catch taken down the legside by wicketkeeper Jim Melrose.

Tom Marsland (19) batted well and picked up a few runs down the order whilst the wickets fell around him, but when he was caught well by Chris Moores at long-on, off the bowling of Rob Porter (1-1), the Upton innings came to a close on 111 all out off 31.1 overs.

The pick of Macc’s bowlers was Craig Melrose with terrific figures of 6-38 off his 15 over spell.

In reply, Macc’s run chase didn’t get off to the best of starts as opening bowler Liam Sundve (2-27), accounted for the wicket of Justin Galeotti (2) and then soon after Rob Porter (0), bowling a well executed yorker to dismiss Macc’s skipper. This left the hosts on 4-2.

John Birchall and Khalid Sawas however, began to rebuild and after seeing off a tough period, the pair settled down at the crease and showed their class and experience.

Birchall started to score quickly, taking the game to the opposition as Macc’s run rate increased.

Sawas made sure Macc didn’t give Upton any further opportunities, as home side began to take control of the game.

The pair took the score passed the 50 mark, batting with application and showing good levels of concentration in the hot weather.

Birchall continued to hit some glorious boundaries as he and Sawas pushed the score on for the hosts.

The spin bowling of Matt Owen (1-27) did for Birchall though, falling for a well made 48, as Warburton took a good, high catch.

The pair had put on an important 74 runs together, with the score now 78-3.

Sawas continued to play positively as Marsden joined him at the crease. The pair moved the score along, passed the 100 mark and both batsmen remained intact as they took Macc to victory.

Sawas ended on 46 not out and Marsden 8 not out, as Macc finished on 112-3 off 25.4 overs, to win by seven wickets and claim an important 25 points, whilst the visitors took three points from the game.