Macclesfield were optimistic of claiming their first win as they welcomed Neston to Victoria Road.

Captain Ben Morrison lost the toss and Macclesfield were invited to bowl first on a wicket which looked like looked to have something in it for the bowlers.

Ian Tait and Jack Ward opened up for Macc and created an abundance of chances early on to leave Neston under pressure at 27-2, with Ward taking both wickets.

The in-form Will Evans and David Hurst looked to regroup, but Evans was caught behind by Jim Melrose off the bowling of Tait, with Hurst quickly following after succumbing to the varying flight and length of Rob Porter.

At 77-4 Luke Camden joined Andrew Clarke and the pair began to accelerate before Morrison pulled off his frontline seam attack in favour of taking some pace off the ball in testing conditions.

Morrison himself then produced an extraordinary spell of bowling, swinging it both ways and trapping three victims leg before with Jim Melrose taking a sharp catch to leave Neston on 154-9.

Macclesfield looked to drill home their advantage but a spirited last-wicket partnership of 52 between Clarke (92 not out) and Stimson saw Neston close on 206 all out from 44 overs.

Morrison finished the pick of the bowlers with 4-27.

Macclesfield’s efforts to chase down 206 from 66 overs got off to a terrible start with Morrison putting one right down fine leg’s throat with the second ball of the innings.

Neston paceman Davis bowled with aggression and went through the Macclesfield top order to leave them 24-3 before being carried off with a bad injury.

Rob Porter and Eddie Bones looked to lead the Macclesfield fightback and added 33 for the fourth wicket before Bones was adjudged LBW for 20.

Ward, Aswad Khan and Craig Melrose all went in quick succession to leave Macclesfield on a perilous total of 63-7. Porter was also adjudged LBW and was quickly replaced and followed by Liam Markie who came and went quickly to leave Macclesfield 79-9.

Ian Tait joined Jim Melrose at the crease and the pair batted with grit and determination in an attempt to salvage any batting points from the game.

Melrose and Tait pushed balls into the gaps while playing some attractive shots before Tait was caught at mid-off for a well-made 19, leaving Melrose not out on 29 at the other end as Macclesfield closed on 127 all out.

n The second XI travelled to Neston and posted 207, with James Cross top-scoring with a mighty 69.

After looking odds-on for the win after having the home side reeling at 100-5, Neston ended up victorious by five wickets.

The third XI succumbed to a four-wicket loss after posting just 112.

Matt Griffiths and Toby Spencer-Pickup performed well but couldn’t inspire a win.