Warm up fixtures in freezing weather

WHITE is a colour associated with cricket and so it was last weekend. But it was not crisply ironed kit that was on display but snow! A weekend of warm up matches was a bit of a misnomer for the cricketers of Macclesfield, Leek and Bollington – it was freezing!

On Saturday, Leek were the guests at Victoria Road as former players Craig Melrose and Khalid Sawas were welcomed home. Batting first, Khal, along with skipper Alex Mellor, set the pace. Khal retired on 52 and Alex was not out 70. After that the bowlers started to find their line and length although Kieran Carr knocked a run a ball 52 as the Leek innings finished on 270-8. Paddy Turner took three wickets and skipper James Cross two.

In response, Macclesfield scored 206 all out, the highlight being 53 by Eddie Bones and 36 not out from Chris Moores.

A good work out against a strong Premier League side on a surprisingly firm wicket for early season

On Sunday, neighbours Bollington made the short trip to Macc for two matches that gave the first and second teams a run out. For the 1sts, Macclesfield batted first scoring 149 off 45 overs.

John Birchall hit a restrained 39 and Ben Curwen 30. Three wickets for Stewart Plant and two apiece for Jack Ward and Tom Horsfield.

The scorecard shows that Bolly also scored 149 which can only be attributed to scorer

Sandra Mason, having transferred from the Rec to Macc, keeping a tactful balance! Captain Calum Rowe top scored with 37 supported by Jack Ward with 23 (Jack did have two visits to the crease though!). Three wickets for Angus Thompson and James Cross.

Meanwhile, on the second ground after bowling the visitors out for 123, the home side had a bit of a collapse with only extras getting into double figures as they closed on 37.

No doubt after a winter with no practice nets, there were a few aches and pains on Monday morning but a good work out for all three clubs as the season starts in earnest on Saturday.