Macclesfield journeyed to league leaders Neston on Saturday hoping to continue their recent improved form and record a win.

After winning the toss and batting, Macc make a brisk start in bright sunshine and were 46-2 off 10 overs when Australian Nick Ross joined Khalid Sawas at the crease. From ball one, Ross looked at ease against Neston’s attack and scored freely, driving and cutting the ball ferociously.

Sawas played the more watchful anchor role at the other end as the pair built a substantial partnership. Entering the middle overs, Ross began to play more expansively and started to clear the ropes at regular intervals, including a huge six over the clubhouse off Clarke.

With both men passing 50, Macc were well placed when Sawas fell for a well-complied 65 and the score on 187.

Several of Macc’s middle order selflessly sacrificed their wickets in pursuit of quick runs but Ross held firm, completing a second successive league century with six overs left in the innings.

Showcasing the skills that have made him one to watch in Melbourne he continued to blast the ball to all parts and eventually finished unbeaten on 145 off just 116 balls. Some clever play from Rob Porter, Andy Hodgson and James Cross helped Macclesfield post a defendable 276 off their 55 overs.

Knowing that the title front-runners would have to chase to maintain their lead at the top, Macc felt they had a good chance if they could frustrate Neston early and get them behind the required rate.

Unfortunately it didn’t turn out that way. Neston’s innings started with a flourish with Evans and Hurst – two of the league’s leading run scorers – starting confidently.

Although Ian Tait and Craig Melrose bowled excellent areas, the in-form batsmen hit through the line and found the boundary regularly.  Captain Ben Morrison changed his bowlers regularly hoping to stem the flow and create pressure but Evans in particular had an answer to everything.

Tait was the only bowler who managed to restrict the home side to less than a run-a-ball and deserved more reward.

When Evans reached his century in the 28th over it looked ominous for Macclesfield as he began to play with even more freedom.

In a display of hitting rarely matched in the league, he ended unbeaten on 160 as Neston knocked off the runs in 38 overs without losing a wicket.

Aided by a century from Hurst, Neston remain top of the league with six games to play.

Macclesfield must now win at least four of their remaining games to stand a chance of remaining a Premier League outfit but can take confidence in the way the batting is firing and the strength in the squad.

Losses were also recorded for the second and third teams, despite another half-century for second XI captain Andy Moores.