Macclesfield are still searching for their first league win of 2013 after they fell to defeat at home to Oxton on Saturday, but there was better fortune for them in cup action as they set up a quarter-final derby at?Alderley?Edge.

On a wet morning, Macc skipper Ben Morrison won the toss and elected to field first with the overs reduced to 53 overs per side.

Macc’s opening bowlers Ian Tait and Craig Melrose each made an early breakthrough reducing Oxton to 27-2.

Both were bowling well with Melrose in particular beating the bat with alarming regularity.

Oxton pair Hughes and Worcestershire’s Choudhry then went on to compile a steady 80-run partnership to bring the score into three figures.

Melrose, who ended the innings with 4-108, then accounted for both batsmen as he settled in for a long spell.

He also dismissed Evans with a swinging delivery as, with the batsman offering no shot he was adjudged LBW.

With the score at 140-6, Macc looked to finish off the innings quickly, but Fernando had other ideas. He went on to smash 48 off just 22 balls including five sixes. This late flurry boosted the Oxton total to 209-8 from their 53 overs.

In the hosts’ reply both Macclesfield openers fell early to the impressive Fernando and Evans, which brought Sawas and Ross to the crease.

Ross looked in good touch as he hit boundaries all around the wicket with superb timing.

Sawas (31) was looking to be more cautious as the pair moved the score onto 84 giving Macc a real chance of victory.

However, both then fell with Ross appearing unlucky to be adjudged LBW for 39.

At 90-5 Macc were in trouble and were also a batsman light with former first XI Barney Cutbill required more urgently elsewhere, with his partner expecting their first child.

Melrose and Eddie Bones then offered some resistance, hauling the Macc total up to 130.

However, there was just too much to do and Macc fell short, bowled out for 150.

They had better fortunes in the Cheshire Cup with a morale-boosting three-wicket win at Mere.

The host team, who had beaten Nantwich in the previous round, were put in to bat by skipper Ben Morrison.

The Macc attack bowled tightly throughout the innings and picked up wickets regularly.

The youthful Tony Moores bowled well with the new ball while Cheshire batsman Sawas claimed his first wicket for the club and went on to claim impressive figures of 4-40 from his nine overs.

The Mere batsmen looked to play positively throughout the innings and dispatched some huge sixes out of the ground to finished on 193 all out, just shy of using their 45-over allocation.

In reply Macc looked to be positive from the start with Rob Keen making a brisk 34.

Sawas compiled 80 not out to complete a superb all-round performance and guide Macc to victory. He was supported well by Ross (25) and James Cross (26) who added valuable runs at the other end.

Macc reached their target of 194 seven wickets down with an over to spare and progress to the next round of the knockout competition.