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Must do better

28/ 7/2004

Macclesfield 174ao
Neston 177/4
(Neston won by 6 wkts)

ON an important day in ECB Premier League, Macclesfield hosted bottom club Neston with a win imperative to stay out of the relegation zone.

On a day blessed with sunshine and a flat wicket, Neston won the toss and asked Macclesfield to bat. With a rare all-round batting performance Macc were able to post 174 all out before Ian Tate was dismissed off the final ball of the 55th over.

Special mention must go to the Kings trio of Chris Buckley, Justin Perring and Tom Parfit-Manning.

This total was one of the more competitive Macc had posted, but was still 50 runs short of par.

In response Neston got off to a quick start before Barney Cutbill dismissed experienced Australian Stan Clifford in his second over.

There was then a lengthy second wicket stand in which the Macc team spurned chances to get rid of Cheshire player Simon Marshall. A mini-collapse saw Neston reduce from 110-1 to 120-4, but they were to lose no more wickets before passing the Macc total with eight overs to spare.

Mark Hillaby bowled what he considered to be his best spell of the year and can be considered to be unlucky to have taken no wickets in 20 overs!

The result leaves Macc in the relegation zone for the first time in the history of the ECB Premier League, and travelling to high-flying Chester Boughton Hall on Saturday they know improved performances are necessary.

• MACCLESFIELD Cricket Academy's junior cricketer Peter Barron captained the under-12s county side in their victory over local rivals Lancashire this week.

Cheshire made 156 with Barron contributing 55 not out, while Lancashire were bowled out for 93.