Cheshire Independent Issue 192

SEPTEMBER 2024 20 LOCAL RUGBY ROUND-UP Independent LOCAL SPORT LOCAL CRICKET ROUND-UP MACCLESFIELD’ S preparations for the new season saw them take on Preston Grass- hoppers, another team from National 2, with head coach Rhys Davies pleased with the posi- tive performance. The game at Priory Park against the Lancashire vis- itors finished all square at 17-17. Most of Macc’s squad members were on show, and it gave the supporters the chance to see the new faces. The first 30 saw four new boys starting in the pack: Ben Blackburn from Tynedale, Elliot Thomp- son from Sandal, Harry Hughes from Sandbach, and George Boughey from Newport Salop. All four looked more than comfortable. Several changes were made after 30 minutes, with the introduction of Theo Hubert, an arrival from Sandbach, at loose- head, Sam Broster at 7, Elliot Alston at 8, Dom Lovesy at 10, Hector Tom- linson at 14, and Will Lever from Bowdon at 15. Macclesfield head coach Robbie Savage told the club’s official website: “As soon as I saw that he had left Bradford, I thought it was an opportunity for us as a coaching staff to get someone with such an affil- iation with this football club, a club legend. “He’s gone away and probably learnt a lot more about coaching and man- agement and I thought because he is so much of an icon and a legend, could I introduce him back into the management team.” He added: “He was fun- damental to myself and Rob building Macclesfield Football Club, he won us promotion and getting him back is a magnificent thing for us.” Macclesfield have also announced the arrival of striker Courtney Duffus fol- lowing his departure from League Two side Barrow. The 28-year-old spent last season at Holker Street, as well as a period on loan at National League side Hartlepool United, making nine appearances for each club. Duffus, who came through Everton’s acad- emy, has also appeared for Oldham and Morecambe in League One. The frontman has proven his goalscoring prowess in the National League, aver- aging a goal every three games in just under 70 appearances and will pro- vide extra attacking rein- forcements as Macc look to mount a promotion push. MARK Alderson is back as Macclesfield FCWomen’s first teammanager. After adouble-winningcampaign last season, the team is embarkingon a new challenge in a new league under new management headed up by Alderson. He was manager of the club’s under- 18 girls and first team manager back in 2021/22 and in a statement, Macclesfield said the aimwas for himto“usehis expe- rience as head of women’s football to develop the pathway from our academy to the first team.” Alderson told the club’s official web- site:“I know how good the squad is and what they can achieve and what their aspirations are. I am personally really happy tobe reinstatedandhelpthegirls push on to achievemore success. “The club has done a really good job of setting a pathway through the junior academy to the first team. “The success has been there, but we want to keep building and push up through the leagues as quickly as we can with the talent we’ve got and it’s exciting how it’s building year by year.” NANTWICH piled the pressure on leaders Hyde in the Cheshire Premier League with a valuable four wicket win as the top two sides clashed. The result saw the Dabbers sitting just 10 points behind their rivals with 19 games of the campaign played. Nantwich won the toss and put the visitors into bat. Hyde posted 290 with the loss of eight wickets in their 50 overs. Mitchell Spencer was the pick of the Nantwich bowlers taking 3-49. The home side reached their target in the 48th over for the loss of six wickets. Top order batters Ali Chughtai with 91 and Luke Robinson, who hit 83, led the charge. Sixth place Alderley Edge claimed an unlikely win over Grappenhall as the visitors collapsed, losing their last five wickets for just 10 runs, chas- ing a target of 184. At 165-5 the visitors looked to be heading for a comfortable victory but in an extraordinary passage of play George Bell, more well-known for his wick- et-keeping, took three wickets for five runs in two overs. With skipper Sam Perry ply- ing his spin from the opposite end (2-21) the pressure began to mount and Edge sealed an unlikely nine-run victory when last man Ben Bodha was skit- tled out for 24. At the bottom of the table the relegation places have already been sorted, with Toft and Neston confirmed for the drop. In Division One Brooklands and Lindow have claimed pro- motion and will play in the Premier League next season. Bramhall finished third, with Macclesfield, Sale and Cheadle in the top half of the table. Macclesfield claimed an impressive away win at Lin- dow, with a 32-run victory. They posted 277-6 after win- ning the toss and electing to bat. The home team’s run chase fell short and they were bowled out for 245 in the 47th over. Stockport Georgians lost out to Lindow by 81 runs after being skittled out for only 54 by the high-flying visitors in just the 23rd over of their innings, chasing 135. In Division Two, Congle- ton travelled to Port Sunlight and recorded a 31-run victory. Jack Goode hit an impressive, unbeaten 138 from 106 balls that included seven sixes and 16 fours. by Rhys Fullerton BROMSGROVE were the visitors at Bradwall Road for Sandbach 1st XV’s final pre-sea- son fixture. The Boars, who play in the Midlands division, are a league above the Bach and posed tough opposition. However, the home side ran out 22-19 winners in a close fought affair. Sandbach boasted a squad of 33 players, which included 25 mini and junior graduates, three of whom played for the Under 18’s last season. The match also saw the return of former club cap- tain Mike Egglestone, who is back after several sea- sons away. Sandbach were led out by newly appointed club captain Jimmy Gore. Tim Young went over to score the first try for the Bach. Max Beadle secured five more points as the home side’s maul continued to cause Bromsgrove problems. A quick penalty and try on the wing by scrum-half Laurie Essenhigh, who recently joined the coach- ing setup, put Sandbach in the lead. The home side added to their points total with a quick penalty and an unop- posed try beneath the posts by Ben Verbickas. Henry Many happy returns! Familiar faces are back as Silkmen Putting the pressure on (Photo credit: Andy Mitchell) Sharp Sandbach edge out visitors Macc aren’t caught on the hop Macc head coach Rhys Davies told the club’s offi- cial website: “It was a pos- itive performance and a real step forward from the previous week. “There was good pro- gress in our understanding of the way we want to play, and the areas of the pitch we want to play in, and clear areas where we can improve next week around the set piece and some of the soft penalties conceded. “There were some really pleasing individual per- formances particularly in the back five of the scrum, where there looks to be some difficult selection decisions over the next few weeks. “It was good to get the wider squad lots of min- utes in the middle, with some of the lads who have predominantly played in the seconds over the last couple of seasons perform- ing really well”. Mitchell nailed the conver- sion to stretch the lead to 22-19. Mark’s looking to keep building Back: DannyWhitaker and Edy Maieco (Photo credit: MFC) MACCLESFIELD FC fans have welcomed back two familiar faces to the club as it begins its new Northern Pre- mier League campaign. Winger Edy Maieco has returned to the Leasing. com Stadium following his departure from Bradford Park Avenue on a short- term deal. Maieco made over 20 appearances in the NPL last season, scoring on six occasions. His return to the Silkmen adds further qual- ity to head coach Robbie Savage’s forward options. Meanwhile, Macclesfield Legend Danny Whitaker has returned to the club as part of its backroom team. Following his departure from Bradford Park Ave- nue, the Silkmen’s former manager returns to the Leasing.com Stadium in a coaching capacity, lean- ing on his knowledge and experience to help drive the cub forward. In a statement the club said: “In an exciting move for both parties, Danny will be a vital asset to help the development of squad and his knowledge of the club from inside to out is going to be a major boost to the whole Maccles- field community.” During his playing days, Whitaker made 450 appearances for Maccles- field Town over two spells, helping them secure promotion to the Foot- ball League. He was appointed as the first-ever manager of the reformed Macclesfield FC, guiding them to promotion in 2021/22. However, he was relieved of his duties in October 2022 and appointed head of player development. He went on to take on the manager’s role at Bradford.