Seconds hold lead at the top

MACCLESFIELD 2nd XI travelled to Brooklands at the weekend keen to retain their status at top of the division.

The home side who won the toss and elected to field. Macclesfield opened with Dan Isherwood and James Coombes who were careful to see off the opening attack. However Coombes fell for 10 and then McCance for 6 both to Chris Moore.

Alex Griffiths seemed set alongside Isherwood before both being dismissed for 16 and 31 respectively. Looking to rebuild brought Tom Isherwood and vice captain Chris France to the crease, but a high score was looking somewhat unlikely.

However the duo dug-in and took the score well above 100 before Moore had Isherwood caught for a well made 29. Good support by the Macclesfield tail to bat alongside France took the total to a competitive 201-9 off 50 (France 68 not out, Moore 5-46)

After the interval, Macclesfield knew they would have to bowl and field well to beat the strong looking Brooklands side.

However, it was the hosts who started the better with opening pair of Storrow and Bloomfield scoring well before Key dismissed the latter for 15.

The batsmen strove to see off the youthful bowling attack but struggled to score with much impetus. When Storrow fell for 28 and Khares for 25, the home side were in need of a rebuild.

Otis Palmes took his second wicket of the day to bring in Garnett to join Mody at the crease. Tom Radley claimed his first wicket with a caught and bowled to dismiss Mody for 22.

Garnett, running out of partners, was bowled for 42 by captain Stuart Parks who then combined with Radley to take the remaining Brooklands wickets. Tom Radley finishing 4-31 and Parks 2-21 won the game for Macclesfield as Brooklands were bowled out for 163, leaving Macclesfield top of the league.

The 3rd XI also entertained Brooklands and drew, despite a splendid 112 by Ian Kenny and 66 from Haminder Matharu. At close of play Macclesfield still neded 3 more wickets to win.