Despite two recent disapointing results Macclesfield travelled to Chester on Saturday still with a hope that victories in the remaining two games of the season could see the league title make its way to Victoria Road.

Chester captain Ogilby won the toss and asked Macclesfield to bat on a good-looking pitch and with glorious sunshine conditions looked perfect for batting.

This however didn’t initially appear to be the case as opening bowlers Goodwin and Linwood both claimed a wicket apiece with the score at 17-2.

Hough and Crosthwaite started to build a good steady partnership but had to work hard for their runs as Chester set sensible fields and bowled with discipline. Linwood switched ends to replace Goodwin with Kegg brought into the attack.

The score was moving on nicely but as both batsmen started to look set, the introduction of leg spinner Williams broke the partnership as Hough was trapped LBW for 31.

Williams was bowling well and offering nothing to the batsmen, this prompted the introduction of off-spinner Rowlands.

Crosthwaite showed his class, scoring runs from good balls and he and Porter moved the score up to 91 before the dismissal of Porter triggered a flurry of wickets with Macclesfield reduced to 95-6, Rowlands claiming the wickets of Porter, Hodgson and Moores in quick succession.

Jack Ward joined Crosthwaite and the pair moved the score up to 129 with some good attacking intent, but Williams then claimed the crucial wicket of Crosthwaite for a well-made 73.

The last three wickets all fell at regular intervals and Macclesfield were dismissed for a well below-par 150 in 51 overs.

Goodwin and Linwood claimed a wicket apiece but it was spinners Williams (4-57) and Rowlands (4-23) who Macclesfield just couldn’t get to grips with.

Things didn’t get much better for Macclesfield after tea.

Opening bowlers Tait and Melrose – who have served them so well all season – never threatened as Goodwin and Rowlands both scorched early boundaries.

Tait was replaced by Porter who quickly removed Rowlands, stumped by Crosthwaite for 17 off eight balls. This gave a glimmer of hope, but Goodwin was playing majestically with boundaries all around the wicket.

Number three batsmen Robinson then got into the act after taking time to play himself in and the pair moved the score onto three figures.

Ward bowled well without any luck in his six-over spell as Chester knocked off the runs inside 30 overs with Goodwin with main contributer with 77 and Robinson hitting the winning runs and bringing up his half-century in the process.

A disappointing three weeks for Macclesfield means they must now accept that any chance of the league title has gone. The’ll hope to return to form against Neston in the final game of the season.