Macc edged out by close rivals
MACCLESFIELD Cricket Club came up against close competitors Cheadle on Saturday in a game sponsored by The Balti Kitchen Macclesfield.
Captain Rob Porter won the toss at Victoria Road and decided to put the visitors in to bat.
Good bowling by opening pair Craig Melrose and John Birchall saw Cheadle lose an early wicket as Melrose found the edge of the opening batsman.
Good batting then saw Cheadle put on a few good partnerships as batsman Greg Dixon went past 50.
Porter picked up the big wicket of Dan Brown, leaving Cheadle vulnerable at 129-3.
Runs continued to flow until Oliver Marsden was brought into the attack and got rewarded straight away by picking up Dixon for 86.
Melrose, Birchall, Raja and Porter each picked up one wicket; and Marsden picked up two, restricting Cheadle to 245-6 on a good batting surface.
The home team came out firing with the bat as Tom Parfett and Marsden smashed the bowlers to all parts of the ground.
The first wicket fell at 62-1 but that didn’t stop the Macc boys.
Overseas player Nick Bertus joined Marsden and together they lowered the required runs.
Bertus was caught for a well played 52, leaving Macclesfield 107 runs to get with eight wickets in hand.
The equation seemed simple with in-form batsman Oli Marden still at the crease.
Good spin bowling saw two quick middle order wickets fall and the match was now evenly poised.
The big wicket of Marsden for a well played 80 saw the home side in trouble at 172-5.
Quick wickets continued to fall by good spin bowling and once again Macclesfield went from being in a dominant position to one in trouble.
James Cross stood firm but wickets at the other end meant he would be left stranded; after a big six straight down the ground Cross lost his wicket for a fighting 35, leaving Macc 228 all out.
Another dissapointing loss for such a talented side who are capable of beating any team on their day.
Macclesfield 1XI take on Toft in an important game this coming Saturday at home, where they will try to turn things around.
Meanwhile, Macclesfield Cricket Club brought their facilities up to date with the installation of a three bay all weather practice facility. It is the latest development at Victoria Road as the club continues to upgrade its facilities.
Barney Cutbill, cricket committee lead, said: ‘This is a tremendous boost for the club, both seniors and our thriving Academy as we continue in our ambition to provide the best facilities in the county.
“The club has been fundraising for a while to pay for the nets and thanks to the hard work of the juniors, players, and most importantly G F Holding, the scheme was able to be completed this summer..”
Club chairman Simon Griffiths paid tribute to former player Simon Holding, saying: ‘Without Simon’s generosity it would probably have taken another 12 months to raise the funds, we cannot thank him enough as it allow us to offer first class training facilities.
“We are also indebt to the advice and support received from England & Wales Cricket Board and the Cheshire Cricket Board’ G F Holding, based on Bonis Hall Lane are building and fit out contractors to the leisure industry with a particular focus on cinemas.