Oxton staying strong despite Macclesfield securing perfect 10

Aug 28 2007 Liverpool Daily Post

THE first club in The Right Move Abroad Cheshire County League to post 10 victories, Macclesfield have moved 35 points clear of second-placed Oxton at the top of Division One.

A fine century partnership between Ben Morrison (59) and Khalid Saqwas (46) helped Macclesfield declare at 197-8 against Timperley, who were bowled out for 165, Craig Melrose taking 5-31.

Oxton improved their position in second place with a winning draw against one of their main rivals, Heaton Mersey at Townfield Lane. Chris Cashin top-scored with 43 in Oxton’s 200-8 after which Heaton Mersey flopped from 100-2 to close on 138-7, Aussie Dean Treuer taking 4-39. Oxton visit Macclesfield in a crucial fixture on September 8.

Bollington moved up to fourth place with a winning draw at home to Bredbury, skipper Rick Hough declaring when he was 99 not out.

Birkenhead Park scored only their second win of the season, but remain firmly entrenched in one of the relegation spots.

A fine century by Tom Hunter (103) helped Park declare on 225-5 and Didsbury were then bowled out for 173, Chris Foran snapping up 4-36.

Upton continued their improvement with a comfortable home win against bottom side Alsager after declaring on 202-8, Lee Dixon 61. Alsager were dismissed for 114, Ian Sharrock 3-19.

Burnage’s late challenge for promotion from Division Two continued when they won a 25-point victory at Tattenhall.

Burnage now trail only one point behind second-placed Warrington, who had a comfortable win against Sale at Walton Lea. Mal Agar top-scored with 80 in Warrington’s 188-9, Rick Halkon 6-75, then Agar’s spinners claimed 4-21 to topple Sale for 97.

Without star turn Ewan McCray on holiday, leaders Cheadle Hulme suffered only their second defeat of the summer with one ball remaining in a thriller at Grappenhall, but they remain top by 38 points.