On Saturday Macclesfield travelled to Chester to play the Premier League leaders in what would prove to be an eventful match.
Captain Ben Morrison won the toss and elected to bowl on a day where weather was going to be the main enemy with scattered showers forecast.
Chester opened the batting in fine style with both openers get off to a flying start.
At 33-0 off three overs Macclesfield were struggling to contain the runs.
However, with fine efforts from Chris Moores and Jack Ward the visitors restricted Chester’s prolific scoring rate, though they couldn’t take the wickets to really stall the scoring.
The batsmen did manage to achieve a total of 309 off 39 overs with the league’s leading batsmen Warren Goodwin making an outstanding 146 not out and doing the major damage for the opposition.
With plenty of overs to bat Macclesfield were still upbeat going into their chase.
Openers Morrison and Rob Keen looked positive early and were prepared to play through heavy rain in an attempt to chase the target.
With conditions getting so bad and the wicket of Morrison falling at 40-1 the umpires decided the rain was too heavy and the covers were brought on.
Play resumed some 25 minutes later when conditions improved and the chase recommenced.
With two quick wickets falling after the break Macclesfield had lost momentum, but together Nick Ross and Porter tried to steady the ship and they staged a 50-run partnership before Ross was dismissed for 37.
Porter was proving to be the rock of the innings and he joined with batsmen below to help rebuild.
He was eventually dismissed for 69 after having a 90-run partnership with Ward. When Ward was dismissed on 48 with 80 runs to win and 20 overs remaining the game was still in the balance.
With some tight bowling from Chester and the darkness making it harder and harder for the batsmen to see Macclesfield fell short.
However, they did close on 262-9 and earning themselves a draw with some gritty determination at the end of the match.
It was a great effort by the team in a game where momentum switched constantly and both sides fought hard all day.
This week Macclesfield play two games at Victoria Road.
On?Saturday they host third-placed Grappenhall in the league before they take on Liverpool’s New Brighton in their Cheshire Cup semi-final.
Both are huge games for the club and they’ll be hoping strong local support could yet see them to league safety and cup success this season.
