Defeat sets up nervous finale
THE Macclesfield 1st XI travelled to promotion pushing Didsbury on Saturday., where the first opposition of the afternoon was the rain. Eventually the fixture commenced, shortened to 37 overs per side; Macclesfield won the toss and elected to bat.
John Birchall came out to open alongside Rob Porter but the fireworks of the previous week were not repeated when the former was caught for 5, giving Nick Anderson his first wicket.
The host’s quick start continued when Liam Booth bowled Justin Galleotti soon after.
At 9-2 Khalid Sawas was the new man at the crease and looked to steady the innings alongside his captain.
Defending well whilst scoring when possible the duo progressed before Khalid Sawas was caught for 12; Nick Anderson’s second wicket.
Pete Barron batting at five looked to aid his captain in building a defendable innings.
Again his work was undone as Michael Taylor took his first wicket.
From here a dramatic spell from Taylor (finishing 5-16) aided a Macclesfield collapse, with little resistance, to eventually be bowled out for 89 with Porter being the only score of note with 39.
Following tea, Tim Hughes and Jonathon Ridley opened for Didsbury. After a watchful start, the duo looked to make quick inroads into the low total.
The openers ran well and saw off opening spells from Craig Melrose and Chris Moores. With changes to the bowling Didsbury increased the scoring rate with regular boundaries coming from both ends.
The home side’s win approached but was halted momentarily as Hughes was stumped off the bowling of Jack Massey for a run a ball 40.
However Jonathon Ridley’s 40 not out and Fred Kamstra 12 not out were enough for Didsbury to take a comfortable win.
The 1st XI, now fourth bottom in the league, go into the penultimate game against Davenham at
home next week just nine points ahead of relegation.
The Macclesfield 2nd XI welcomed Warrington to Victoria Road and all looked well for a prompt start until the heavens opened thereby delaying the start and reducing the game to 30 overs a side.
Skipper Stu Parks won the toss and invited the visitors to bat. It was always going to be tricky for the Warrington batsmen with the ball moving in the air, but an early run out did not help their cause as Nanda Prashant went, thanks to smart fielding from Parks for 4, . Greg Sowerby quickly followed bowled by Harry Massey.
The top order all got a start, reaching double figures only then to lose their wickets to accurate Macclesfield bowling.
Paolo Manfredi, batting at 3, held the innings together but the introduction of Angus Thomson saw the visitor’s innings collapse as Thomson took 4 wickets for 4 runs in 17 balls. Manfredi was 9th out for a battling 29.
Warrington finally closed on 88 all out off 27.1 overs
In reply openers Dan Isherwood and James Coombes made steady progress until the former was lbw to Simon Hewitt for 17 with score on 23.
Alex Griffiths departed soon after but Thomson joined Coombes and steadied the ship.
Coombes went with the score on 67 for a well made 25.
Findlay McCance was out for 4 but a few lusty blows by Sam Buckingham saw the Warrington total surpassed with 8 overs to spare.
Buckingham 16 not out and Thomson 26 not out at the conclusion. Two smart stumpings for wicketkeeper Dave Selvan
The 25 points gained leave Macclesfield in second place in the table, seven points behind Timperley but only six points ahead of third place Bowden.
With two games to go the two promotion places are really up for grabs. Next Saturday the 2nds travel to Heaton Mersey
Elsewhere on Saturday the Macclesfield 3rd XI travelled to league leaders Stockport Trinity in a crucial contest in the title race.
Going into the day, Macclesfield sat second in the table only two points behind their opposition.
Losing the toss, Miles Horner’s side were asked to bat and this seemed a good choice by the home side as Macclesfield lost both openers in quick succession, both to Joseph Friel (eventually finishing 5-16).
The quick start for the hosts continued as Macclesfield slumped to 49-6. Good lower order batting from Mitch Moores (19) David Cowen (22) and Tony Moores (18 not out) rescued the innings to a defendable 115-9.
After the interval, Macclesfield made a quick start by taking 4 early wickets including an impressive run out by Harrison Waddington.
However, Stockport Trinity could recover through an impressive innings from Billy Thompson.
Changes in the bowling brought Tony Moores on to bowl and took four crucial wickets.
As the game drew closer and closer Miles Horner took his third wicket to dismiss Billy Thomson for 54.
After being bowled out for 108, Stockport Trinity lost their spot at the top of the table as Macclesfield now sit 10 points clear going into the final two games.
It is now a three horse race for the one promotion slot as Warrington, who the 3s host on Saturday, have moved into 2nd place just ahead of Timperley.
On Sunday the Macclesfield 4th XI were beaten by Lindow.
Macclesfield posted 144-6 with Matt Cunningham top scoring with 44.
In reply Lindow won by 6 wickets but not before Ben Curwen could take 3 wickets.