Macclesfield hosted title chasing Hyde on Saturday looking to complete a double over their high flying rivals.
Upon winning the toss Barney Cutbill elected to bat first, and Ben Morrison and Rick Hough opened up against the pace of Kirwin and Woolley on a good deck that would have a bit in it for both batsmen and bowlers.
Morrison was the first to go, caught and bowled by Woolley which brought Khalid Sawas to the crease and he immediately got into his stride on his way to an elegant, hard fought 47 before he and Hough (26) both fell to leave Macc at 89-3.
Wickets fell regularly in the middle order as only Rob Porter showed application in the face of good bowling from Lomax and Cramner. Porter eventually found support from Andy Hodgson (19) and Cutbill (17) on his way to 48 not out as Macc declared on 195-9 off 55 overs.
It was a below-par total in the face of good bowling and excellent fielding with Cramner the pick of Hyde’s attack with 4-52.
After tea, Macc got off to the perfect start with Ian Tait removing Fitzsimmons, Pilkington and Walker in the first five overs as Hyde crashed to 11-3.
This brought Hyde skipper James Duffy and Rob Woolley to the crease and they started building a partnership – Duffy timing the ball beautifully and Woolley hanging in before finding his timing as the ball got softer. As the partnership flourished, the boundaries came freely and Duffy in particular was making it look effortless.
He passed his ton with the score on 140 and finished with a brilliant 125 not out. Woolley posted an unbeaten 52 as Hyde cruised home to take top spot in the table. It was a superb display as no Macc bowlers could get the breakthrough despite their best efforts – sometimes you just have to concede that the batting was top drawer. Tait was the pick of the bowlers with 3-45.
Macc seconds enjoyed a winning draw against Hyde with Jim Melrose scoring 42 and all bowlers taking wickets, while the thirds beat Warrington.
