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Macc extend league lead and claim Twenty20 cup

15/ 8/2007

CRICKET: MACC skipper Barney Cutbill lost the toss and Macclesfield were asked to bowl on a flat wicket and fast outfield.

A hostile opening spell from Mark Hillaby and Craig Melrose, saw the home side reduced to 16-4.

With the Macc bowlers still bowling well, Slattery (62) and captain Spelling (88) brought about quick runs as they reached 135-4.

Melrose then dismissed Slattery and Evan Gulbis took Sperring's wicket as Macc tightened the screws.

Good 'death' bowling from Gulbis and Cutbill contained Didsbury to 226-9 off their 50 overs.

Hillaby headed the bowlers with two for 35.

After the early departure of Ben Morrison and Justin Perring, Macc struggled to reach 33-2.

Barron and Gulbis consolidated with an excellent partnership, the latter punishing anything slightly off line or length and the normally solid Barron also expanding to dispatch balls to the boundary.

The departures of Barron (47) and Tom Parfett triggered a mid-order collapse and, despite Gulbis (118 not out) bringing up his fifth century, they were forced to play out a draw.

n Macc's seconds won in style against Congleton.

Macc knocked up 250, led by a brilliant 107 in 105 balls from Jon Scragg, before bowling out the opposition for 160, Steve Whittingham taking six for 33. Macc are now 15 points clear at the top.

Not to be outdone, the third team picked up their usual 25 points, scoring 200 and bowling out the opposition for just 60.

MACC faced Irby in the final of the Twenty20 plate competition in a great day for the club.

Cutbill had no hesitation in batting first and Ben Morrison and Khalid Sawas got the innings off to a steady start, but a 90-run partnership between Morrison and Gulbis put Macc in control.

Morrison (70) played some fantastic late dabs and guides to get Macc to 135-2 after 20 overs, a good total on a big outfield.

Melrose and Hillaby (three for 20) used the new ball well and Irby never looked like getting the runs, eventually being bowled out for 90.

Skipper Cutbill was presented with the shield and Hillaby's bowling won him a bottle of champagne.