League double cushions blow of defeat in cup
THE weather gods continued to have their fun at the expense of our local cricketers. After the previous Saturday wash out, a forecast of showers all last Saturday proved incorrect and not a drop did fall.
So competitive cricket finally returned for the Macclesfield CC 1st XI as they made the short trip to Marple for their Cheshire County Division 1 fixture.
Due to losing the start of the season to lockdown, the format has been changed this season to play two twenty overs a side versus the same opponent.
Newly appointed 1st XI captain James Cross won the toss and elected to field giving returning Paddy Turner and debutant Paul Butterworth the new ball.
Success came very early for Turner who removed the opening batsmen with his second ball. More wickets fell in quick succession as Marple slipped to 24-7 including an impressive 5-9 for Turner.
The home side rebuilt somewhat through opener Samuel Stretton (16) and Ed Saxelby (23). Marple struggled to fulfill their allocation and were eventually all out for 79 with Jack Massey and Chris Moores both taking two wickets. Angus Thomson and Alex Griffiths opened the batting for Macclesfield but the latter was swiftly removed to an LBW.
John Birchall came to the crease and started as he meant to go on scoring quick boundaries. He continued in the form as Macclesfield approached the slim target alongside the sound looking Thomson. It was Birchall who won the first fixture by hitting a no ball to the boundary to finish on 49* with Thomson 23*.
In the second game of the day it was Macclesfield that would bat first and opened with the same pair. Thompson was dismissed this time as he was run out for just 1. Marple struck again to remove the dangerous John Birchall bringing James Cross to the middle. Cross and Griffiths put early runs on the board including a number of nice boundaries taking the away side to 57-4.
Wickets fell regularly as the middle order looked to add useful runs and some low order hitting meant that Macclesfield posted 125-8 from the 20 over allotment.
In reply the hosts altered the batting line up looking to chase the total set for them. Paddy Turner took yet another wicket on the day (finishing 2-21) to remove Andrew Wild for a duck.
Marple did progress quickly to reach 44-3 before regular wickets slowed down the scoring and highlight performances with the ball for Tom Key (3-11) and John Birchall (2-14) took Macclesfield home to a second win of the day, and four points for day, as Marple fell short totaling 88-8 from their overs.
The 1st XI were back in action again on Sunday in a cup fixture against the Disley and Poynton amalgamation North East Cheshire CC. Captain James Cross won the toss and elected to field first. North East Cheshire got off to a strong start with both opening batsmen getting starts and looking positive in an opening stand of 57. John Birchall broke the deadlock for the hosts (finish 3-35) before dismissing James Banner for a duck.
The visitors looked to kick on in the middle order through Sam Waller and Dave Oldfield and soaked up a decent amount of the Macclesfield attack in a strong partnership.
This was until Waller was dismissed leaving his side 110-4. Oldfield at the other end continued to bring up his own half century before being bowled by Ben Curwen. Notable runs from Will Ritchie (25) and Daniel Williams (17*) took North East Cheshire to a total of 187-8 from their 40 overs.
Fin McCance and James Coombes opened the batting for the hosts and looked steady in both reaching double figures. After McCance was bowled, Sam Buckingham came to the middle looking to make inroads into the visitors total.
A number of boundaries ensued before Coombes’ wicket fell took Macclesfield to 78-2. Buckingham progressed to 40 before being caught. 1st XI and 2nd XI captains James Cross and Chris France set about a rebuild but scored slowly against the changes in the bowling attack.
John Birchall replaced Chris France following a run out and looked to score quickly and did so in an innings of 35 including two sixes that found their way into the neighbouring hospital.
However regular wickets and restrictive bowling meant that Macclesfield finished just 9 runs short of the North East Cheshire total.
Back at Victoria Road on the Saturday the Macclesfield CC 2nd XI welcomed Marple 2nd XI to also play two twenty over fixtures. The visitors won the toss and elected to bat first but both openers were removed cheaply by Stuart Parks. The Marple middle order batted well against the youthful bowling attack with James Massey top scoring with 38. Late wickets for Parks and Ethan Morris meant that the away side finished 116-5.
In reply the 2nd XI lost early wickets with the visiting captain opening the bowling. Changes in the bowling brought about more wickets with only Nick Moss and Stuart Parks reaching double figures as Macclesfield were bowled out for a disappointing 52.
In the second fixture Marple again batted first finding success in their opening batsmen this time around. Conor Ramsey (43) and James Crisall (23) got Marple off to a good start before both losing their wickets and slowing the run rate. Tight bowling and pressure from the Macclesfield fielders made things tough for Marple. The middle order pursued posting a defendable total and finished on 122-4 from the 20 overs.
In reply, Dan Isherwood and James Coombes opened up looking more solid this time around. The latter was caught for 9 off the bowling of Connor Bergin bringing Sam Buckingham to the crease. The duo rotated the strike well whilst also finding the boundary regularly enough to look positive to win the fixture.
After seeing off the opening bowling attack, Isherwood and Buckingham really pushed on to both reach their individual half centuries to take Macclesfield home with a win meaning that both sides take two points each.
Elsewhere on Saturday, the 3rd XI faced Stockport 2nd XI where they batted first.
The home side struggled against the strong Stockport bowling attack until some lower order striking from Steve Whittingham (43) to finish on 122 all out.
In reply Stockport struggled against the bowling attack led by captain Miles Horner. At one stage less than 50 for 7 wickets only a win seemed possible.
This was until the number eight batsmen Zain found the boundary regularly to take his side home with a win scoring 59. Stockport chased down the first innings total 8 wickets down.
On Sunday the 4th XI were defeated by Bredbury, losing by 5 wickets.