URMSTON'S poor form continued with defeat at Macclesfield in the Cheshire County League Premier Division last Saturday.

The visitors won the toss and chose to bat and a couple of early wickets to dismiss both openers put them on the back foot at 30-2.

In-form Lewis Jackson and Matt Thomas rebuilt the innings, while maintaining a healthy run rate on an extremely quick outfield.

The pair brought up 120 inside the 25th over, before Thomas departed for a well-made 42.

A few tighter overs followed as Macclesfield clawed their way back into the game, with Jackson departing for 70.

However, an important innings of 55 in the latter overs from veteran Craig Grindley ensured a good total of 251-9.

Rob Porter was the pick of the Macclesfield bowlers with 4-51 from his 15 overs.

The home side's chase started positively, reaching 60-0 inside the first 10 overs.

A number of dropped catches thwarted any early pressure Urmston could apply.

But the introduction of spin from the consistent Chris Barlow halted the chase, dismissing the Macclesfield middle order.

However, runs were still flowing and with former Cheshire man Khalid Sawas at the other end, the 252 target was still well within reach.

A 33-run cameo from number seven Chris France put Macclesfield well within sight of victory, which Sawas – who had been dropped four times – finished off in the final over, ending unbeaten on 126 not out.

Barlow was the pick of the Urmston bowlers with 4-44 from his 15 overs as they took 10 points but slipped to sixth in the table.