Jack brightens day after game is washed out
AFTER a reasonable April for cricketing weather, the inevitable finally came on Saturday when the heavens opened all night and morning, and alongside a thoroughly grim forecast resulted in of all the day’s fixtures being cancelled.
This did not halt the players and families of Macclesfield Cricket Club, enjoying the hospitality under gazebos and making the most of the day to meet recently free from isolation, Jack Mattson, the 2021 overseas player from Melbourne, Australia.
Following ECB and Government guidelines, a good day was had by all although it was a shame there was no cricket to be played.
The following day, the Sunday XI were able to get a fixture in due to the great continued work of groundsman Paul Fairclough.
Hosting Mobberley, Macclesfield fell just short in a highly competitive fixture losing by just 31 runs.
Macclesfield captain Matt Cunningham won the toss and elected to bowl first.
Wickets shared between Cunningham, Finn Nash, Alistair Knight and Harry Martin restricted Mobberley to 188-6 from their 40 over allocation.
In reply Macclesfield fell just short reaching 157 before being all out.
Finn Nash top scored with 39 alongside support from Ben Farmer and Harry Martin.
The hard work of the ground staff also manged to get some Academy matches played.
The U13 Lions beat Davenhm by 66 runs in the Cheshire Cup.
The U11s were victorious by 8 wickets against Timperley whilst the Under 11 Girls beat Stockport Georgians by 67 runs
Earlier in the week Newly formed Macclesfield CC’s Women’s team started their Softball Cricket Campaign last Wednesday evening against North East Cheshire.
Intermittent rain showers threatened the game all day but come early evening the sun came out at Victoria Road and the game got underway shortly after 6pm.
Macclesfield won the toss and following advice from coach Fred Slater, elected to bat.
Aware that NECC had a little more experience having already played some games, the women approached the game with a mixture of excitement and nervousness, but the visitors were lovely and so the nerves soon settled.
The 16 over innings saw the women bat in pairs for 4 overs per pair. The team would start with a score of 200 runs and any loss of wickets would incur a 5 run deduction however, players would continue to bat on.
Macc approached the innings with a positive mindset against mixed bowling and posted a final sore of 259 including the loss of 3 wickets.
It was a positive first innings for the women and the potential was clear.
Runs were accumulated with singles and boundaries and there was some good running between the wickets.
Macclesfield were quickly made aware that the oppositions strength lay in their batting when off reasonable bowling in the first over, they dispatched balls to the boundary with little effort and their best batsmen were yet to come!
A valiant effort and perseverance with the bowling contained them a little but they went on to post a score of 302 for the loss of 3 wickets.
All was not lost as experience and great lessons were learnt in both bowling and fielding.
Despite the defeat, the game was thoroughly enjoyed by all our women who played with great enthusiasm and application of skills they had learnt during training. Competitive element aside, great fun was had by all and clearly evident by the laughter and smiles amongst the squad throughout the game.
The women look forwards to their next game on Friday 21st May (Away) versus Toft at 6pm.