Gritty Macc so close to hauling in leaders
ABUSY cricketing weekend again at Ma c c l e s f i e l d kicked off with the 1st XI travelling to league leaders Bowdon on Saturday.
After a rain delay, the fixture was shortened to 40 overs per side and James Cross won the toss and elected to bowl first.
Miles Bradshaw got Macclesfield off to a great start as he dismissed both Jack Tipton and Ross Zelem as Bowdon fell to 7-2.
The hosts then fought back well through a partnership of Patrick Ashling (42) and Shardul Viinoaday (29).
The pair scored quickly, setting their side in good stead to post a competitive total. James Teasdale and Sid Mahadevan were next to the middle for the home side again looking to add valuable runs.
The pair batted nicely together sharing 40 before Chris Moores dismissed Mahadevan for 22.
James McDougall and Matthew Tulley added quick runs to support Teasdale (35*).
Macclesfield restricted the hosts to 166-6 from the 40 overs with 3 wickets for Bradshaw as well as a wicket a piece for Moores, Jack Massey and John Birchall.
In reply, it was Bowdon who got off to a brilliant start, with Chris Ashling taking the wickets of both opening batsmen for 4 and 7.
At the other end, Tully backed up his captain’s efforts in taking two wickets of his own.
The nightmare start from Macclesfield continued as the side fell to 45-6.
This then left Eddie Bones and Sam Buckingham in the middle with a serious effort required.
The pair batted nicely together in scoring off the bad balls and giving the 1st XI a chance in the fixture.
With changes in the bowling, James Bottomley dismissed Bones as he was caught behind for 20.
Jack Massey was in at number 9 and followed in Bones’ footsteps as Bowdon looked favourites to win the game.
Massey supported Buckingham very well until Bottomley struck again to trap Buckingham LBW after scoring 40. The Bowdon bowler then had his 3rd wicket as he had Curwen caught without scoring.
Massey batted excellently alongside support from Moores (10*) as Macclesfield got within 8 runs before McDougall ran Massey out for 42 leaving the visitors ever so short in a great effort against top of the league.
The 2nd XI contested a double-headed weekend which began with hosting Bowdon at Victoria Road on Saturday.
Batting first, Macclesfield amassed 117 before being bowled out in the 41st over. Robin Farmer opened the batting and performed well against a testing young bowling attack on his was to 42 before being run out following a mix up in the middle.
At that point Macc were 78-1 having built a strong foundation but then somewhat collapsed. Farmer was supported well by Finn Nash (25), Chris Flint (15) and Will Jennings (13).
Macclesfield started with Ben Farmer, Jennings and Henry Mitchell taking a wicket each.
However, Ben Broadhurst (73*) and Tom Makin (34*) batted very well as they reached the first innings total comfortably in the 38th over.
On Sunday, the 2nd XI travelled to Oulton Park in an important fixture towards the bottom of the 2nd XI Premier Division.
Macclesfield returning captain Chris France won the toss and made the correct decision in bowling first.
The star of the afternoon was debutant Ollie Davies who took six wickets including a hat-trick!
A first for the cricket club this season, a brilliant effort from the Kings School student.
Davies’ bowling was backed up with two wickets for Jack Massey and Ben Farmer as Macclesfield bowled Oulton Park out for 120.
In reply, Macclesfield skipper France batted steadily on his way to 39 before being caught. Finn Nash was next to the middle and carried his bat to the end scoring 49* taking Macclesfield to the win alongside useful batting from Adam Longshaw (18*).
The 3rd XI were victorious on Saturday as they hosted Stockport Trinity to Parkside. Macclesfield bowled the visitors out for 116 with Stephen Whittingham starring with figures of 4-26. Alistair Knight and Miles Horner also took 2 wickets.
In reply, Macclesfield were able to chase the total to the loss of 6 wickets in the 21st over. Andy Moores batted brilliantly on his way past 50 finishing 65 not out along with support from Joe Haigh (19).
The 4th XI were well beaten on Saturday away to league leaders Offerton. The hosts posted 196-5 from their 40 overs with 3 wickets for Charlie Ackerley and 2 for Ayan Ghosh.
In reply, Macclesfield only managed 59 before being bowled out in the 25th over.
A yoiung Sunday XI were also beaten by a strong Ashton on Mersey side to close the weekend. Macclesfield were bowled out for 89 batting first with Alistair Knight (18) and Toby Wilson (17) top scoring. Ashton on Mersey chased the total to the loss of just 2 wickets, batting for 18 overs.