Miles’ magic lifts
MACCLESFIELD’S first elven were at home at Victoria Road to Urmston CC with the home team winning the toss and electing to bowl first and make use of the full force of their bowling attack, which has been strong in recent weeks. It was to prove to be a wise decision from stand-in skipper and seasoned veteran John Birchall.
In fact, Birchy had a hand or two in getting Maccy off to a brilliant start when he caught Urmston’s opener Rahul Premrajh off Craig Melrose’s first ball of the game. Urmston on the ropes already and a great start for Macclesfield.
Maccy knew they needed to capitalise on that though and kept the pressure on, taking the other Urmston opening bat Callum Stow for 9 and making it 18 for 2, Miles Bradshaw bowling this time and his opening bowling partner Melrose catching for him. This was just the beginning of the Bradshaw and Melrose show though, they had plenty more to offer as the day went on.
Urmston wicketkeeper Lewis Jackson did his bit to set things right for Urmston with 28 and he watched as his teammates Panda, Kilcourse and Turner fell by the wayside, two of them to Bradshaw and one more to Melrose.
This left Urmston 65 for 7 and struggling to cope with Bradshaw and Melrose. For Urmston Dickinson and Edwards managed double figures but it was a tough afternoon at the crease for them against such strong bowling. Dickinson was caught out from the bowling of Melrose with Miles Bradshaw returning the favour of catching for him.
Miles went on to pick up the wickets of the tail enders and Jack Mattson chipped in with a run out.
In the end three wickets for Craig Melrose but outshone this time by Miles Bradshaw with a superb 6 for 37 and Urmston all out for 81.
Not a huge total to chase but Macclesfield still needed to apply themselves to secure victory.
Opening batsman Jack Massey did just that with 29 and then Angus Thomson with 16. Harry Elms and skipper for hire John Birchall saw the match home taking Macclesfield over 81, giving them a fine win and lifting them to third in the league. A good team effort but a standout performance from Miles Bradshaw and his superb bowling.