CRICKET: Macclesfield 122-4 Didsbury 121

Sam Taylor hit 78 not out to see Macclesfield beat fading champions Didsbury.

The visitors had no answer to Taylor's batting and a terrific all-round performance from Stewart Garnett.

The bowler took five wickets before becoming a solid batting partner for Taylor.

This game was part of a tough four-match run up to the end of the first half of the season.

Skipper Paul Hughes had the first success of the afternoon with a correct call on the toss and put the visitors in to bat.

The Macclesfield attack swung into action with its customary gusto and before long had the measure of the opposition.

Indeed, looking at the situation over all, only opener Dan Pugsley was able to assert any real impact with an total of 48 - an invaluable innings for his side.

Departure

With Pugsley there, Didsbury had a chance, but the fall of the fifth wicket saw his departure - caught in the slips by Simon Ackerley off the bowling Stewart Garnett.

From that point, the innings folded and Didsbury found themselves all out for 121.

Much of the damage was effected by Garnett, whose 5 for 23 was his best result of the season so far.

So began the Macclesfield reply.

Well, 11 for 2 for starters did not look very good. Was defeat to be snatched out of the jaws of victory?

Macclesfield steadied a bit and the score moved to 41 for 3, which meant a little breathing space.

But affairs could not be left to take their course with the weather having reduced the overs available. However, Sam Taylor and Stewart Garnett were at the crease - and both were experienced enough to cope with the pressure.

With Garnett playing a vital role as foil to his companion by keeping one end intact, Taylor set about the Didsbury attack in his customary fashion.

He hit the ball to all points of the compass to score an unbeaten 78, which included nine fours and two sixes.

The partnership took the score to 112 when Mark 'Ronnie' Hillaby was sent in to swashbuckle (he only seems to score in boundaries these days) and the total was achieved with three overs to spare.

A 20-point victory keeps Macclesfield at the top of the table but the following pack are hard on their heels.

Still, confidence is still there and the side is looking forward to their encounter with old rivals Bowden on Saturday.

Christopher Dean