CCCL Division One

Poynton............................................174

Macclesfield.....................................177-5

Macclesfield won by five wickets

Langley kept up the pressure on second-placed Chelford with a comfortable win at home to Stalybridge.

The match start was delayed by nearly an hour due to the wet weather as the Langley players removed all the surface water to ensure a game could take place.

Openers Letven and Betteridge, a formidable combination, soon had the visitors in trouble as Letven ripped apart the Stalybridge top order as he claimed five quick wickets with his accurate seam bowling.

None of the top order batsman were at ease in the tough conditions, as they were reduced to 32-6, with only Brownhill (22 not out) and number 11 Fish (28) preventing a total collapse.

The pair added 35 for the last wicket as Stalybridge closed on 103 all out, pace machine Betteridge mopping up the tail in his usual efficient manner.

He finished with 5-56 and Letven 5-40 and in wet conditions that were not easy for anybody.

In reply Langley lost Laughton for three, LBW to a ball that kept low, but Platt and Gay looked in great order as they ran well between the wickets and hit some fine blows as they easily reached their target in just 13.2 overs.

Platt’s unbeaten 74 included six fours and seven sixes, well supported by Gay, who closed on 27 not out.

Langley, who now trail Chelford by 29 points in the race for second place, entertain Wistaston next week.

l Langley’s second XI remain top of the Cheshire Cricket Alliance Division Four, having easily disposed of Appleton third XI.

Langley declared on 194-7 with Bradley scoring 35. In reply Appleton were all out for 50, Broderick taking four wickets and Bradley three.