Macclesfield beat Nantwich

MACCLESFIELD won by 20 runs in a rain-shortened game at Nantwich which eased the reigning champions’ pressure on Chester Boughton Hall and Hyde at the top of the ECB Premier League. In doing so, the season’s Surprise Packet themselves moved up into a creditable fourth spot.

Macclesfield mustered only 151 from 54 overs, Khalid Sawas top-scoring with 32, while Ray Doyle took 6-60 and Alex Matthews 3-36, while wicket-keeper Jonny Kettle claimed four catches.

A heavy shower lopped 17 overs off Nantwich’s reply and they got bogged down when Ian Tait dismissed the prolific Glen Batticciotto for a single. Apart from Jonny Kettle’s 33, the Dabbers’ usually strong batting collapsed to 131 all out with two overs left, Ian Tait finishing with 4-42 to clinch a fine victory. It was their sixth, a record which includes a victory at Hyde, the only match lost by the Werneth Low team in any cricket.

Boughton Hall, meanwhile, forged ahead at the top with an eight wickets home stroll over Oulton Park, who totalled 222 after opting to bat first, Rick Moore 87, Danny Leech 50. Veteran Alex Kegg returned the magnificent figures of 7-58 and teenage leg spinner Jack Williams 3-72. In Chester’s 228-2 response, compiled in only 38 overs, Ollie Law scored 77 not out, Warren Goodwin 62, Steve Ogilby 47 and Jordan Clark 32 not out

Danny Cranmer 5-9

Hyde made mincemeat of Didsbury at Werneth Low although they slipped seven points behind the leaders by collecting only the basic 20 points. Didsbury were bowled out for 107, Danny Cranmer’s improving left arm spin earning him 5-9 and Scott Kirwin 3-30. Danny Berry, 34 not out, led the Hyde reply of 108-4 before making the long trip down to Torquay to play for Cheshire against Devon in the Minor Counties championship next morning..

Neston’s poor form continued when they lost by five wickets at Toft after posting a modest 176, to which star opener Jack Smith contributed 109, his third century Bright newcomer Rob Jones claimed 6-78 and Nigel Muirhead 3-26. for Toft who, without a win since May 21^st, replied with 178-5, Ed Stubbs 51 not out, Pat Roberts 38.

Oxton’s last pair held in a high-scoring draw against wooden spoonists Alderley Edge at Townfield Lane. Alderley’s struggling batting line-up came off for once with a massive 272-3, Jim Steele 105 not out, Adam Worrall 70. Oxton replied with 195-9, Lee Dixon 63, Mark Rowland 56, Mark Warnes returning 4-32.

Grappenhall remained relegation places despite a winning draw at Urmston after posting 185-8, Ian Wright 52, Adam Tetlow 33. Urmston got to 152-8 in response, Sumit Panda 44. Missing from the Urmston team was Overseas all-rounder Jay Dyball who could be out for six weeks after undergoing an emergency appendicitis operation.

Welcome news for Grappenhall came with experienced former Lancashire and Derbyshire all-rounder Steve Titchard, making his first appearance of the season after illness and taking two wickets.

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More good news for Macc … they top Fair Play table

THE LEAGUE Fair Play table produced from umpires’ weekly reports by co ordinator John Lofthouse up to the season’s half-way mark shows Macclesfield leading with an average of 8 marks out of a maximum 10. They are closely followed by Tattenhall on 7.9 and Christleton and Neston, both 7.8. There are three clubs with less than 7, which is the officially accepted minimum. Placings up to games on July 2^nd:

1. Macclesfield: average 8.

2. Tattenhall: 7.9

3= Christleton, Neston: 7.8

1. Didsbury: 7.7

6= Bowdon, Marple, Nantwich: 7.6

9= Bramhall, Bredbury, Brooklands, Hyde: 7.5

13= Cheadle, CBH, Middlewich, Oulton Park, Poynton, Urmston, Warrington: 7.4

20= Grappenhall and Marple: 7.3

22= Alderley Edge, Bollington, Congleton, Mobberley, Sale, Toft: 7.2

28= Heaton Mersey, Irby, Upton: 7.1

31 = Cheadle Hulme, Oxton, Widnes: 7.0

34= Stockport, Timperley: 6.9

36. Stockport Georgians: 6.6