Macclesfield’s defeat to Hyde on the last day of the season scuppered any chance they had of satying in the Premier League next season.

Macclesfield were asked to bat first on a wet wicket and began poorly, losing two wickets within the first four overs.

Khalid Sawas attempted to rebuild the innings into a defendable score with some watchful play while pouncing upon anything slightly short of a good length.

Aided first by Australian Nick Ross (21) and Jack Ward who looked solid in making a patient 35, Sawas showed his class in difficult conditions by making a composed 74.

Knowing that every run could be vital in a tense game, Tom Parfett (25) and Jamie Winrow built on this platform to take the score towards 200. With help from the impressive Chris Moores and number 11 Ian Tait they finished on 211 all out.

Hearing that results elsewhere were looking like going their way, Macclesfield felt that they had a chance of survival if they were to bowl to their capability.

But Hyde’s batting line-up demonstrated their class early on as they successfully got on top of Macclesfield’s opening bowlers.

The introduction of Moores delivered the first wicket however with a cunning piece of bowling. 

This didn’t slow Hyde down and they accelerated to 111-1 before Ward struck to remove  Chris Tipper.

It was the wicket of Cheshire player Danny Berry for 72 shortly after that sparked a short spell of Macc dominance though, with wickets for Rob Porter leaving Hyde at 141-5.

Any hopes of a Macclesfield victory were dispelled quickly however with Duffy and Kirwin – two more Cheshire players – almost taking the game to a conclusion.

Hyde ended up knocking off the required runs for the loss of six wickets which condemned Macclesfield to relegation.

Macclesfield will begin to make plans for next season and will hope to return Premier League cricket to Victoria Road at the first time of asking.

Several positives can be taken from what’s been a disappointing season for the club.

Three batsmen scored 600 runs in the shape of Ross, Porter and Sawas and Tait and the very impressive Porter each took over 25 wickets.

The emergence of wicketkeeper James Cross, batsman Jamie Winrow and Andrew Hodgeson will stand the team in good stead for next year.

Thanks go to all those who make the club such an enjoyable place to play cricket.