The 2As won by two wickets, getting their own back for the heavy loss at Mere earlier in the season. Stand-out performances include Haris’ 4-fer, three catches from Fish in the box, and a solid 27* knock from Sunil to see us home.

With that said, the whole team bowled and fielded well, and we were good value for the win.

This win is Didsbury’s ninth in eleven matches since their loss to Macclesfield in June, making them the in-form side for the second half of the season.

The lads started well with a full body boxercise-style warm up thanks to Sunil followed by Rehmani surprising everyone by winning the toss. Dids were to bowl first on a flat-ish deck, fast outfield, and small ground.

While there were no early in-roads, Saad and Rehmani bowled well in the first 10, with Macclesfield struggling to find consistent scoring opportunities. At times, Dids had two slips, two gullies, and a short cover, clearly attacking both openers. Saad was the pick of the bowlers, going for just eight runs in his seven overs, in arguably his best spell of bowling this year.

The change of bowling to spin resulted in the immediate wickets of Burns, Beckley, and Evans, with both Haris and OG Jnr getting into the action. Beresford chimed in with another run-out.

Didsbury did well to soak up runs at both ends on a pitch that had plenty in it for both the batsmen and bowlers. The team continued to make in-roads, reducing Macclesfield to 90-7, having been 40-0.

Opener Curwen and captain Longshaw shone with the bat for Macclesfield, who were bowled out for 144. Hero from last week, Bells, came on to take the final two wickets for Didsbury.

Upon reflection, Macclesfield probably got 20/30 more than we had hoped, but the total was below par and Didsbury were the happier team going into the tea break. Some old-school cricket teas were provided by the home side, which was very welcomed, and saved Haris £20 for getting his standard Uber Eats delivery.

Didsbury opened with OG Snr and Beresford. The pair put on 15 before Owen was castled when attempting a booming drive, which he then was given a proper send-off. Completely unprovoked, random, and a bit awkward.

Gaudie joined Beresford and the pair took Didsbury to 50 at a good pace, before the latter was bowled by Burns.. a reprieve for earlier. Macclesfield soon changed their tactics to shift from bowling their quicks to spinners and medium pacers. This proved successful, with Gaudie, Goldstone, Saad, and Fisher falling in quick succession.

Didsbury were in a spot of bother. Rehmani had joined Sunil with the score less than 90, and the rate slowed. The game was in the balance, and Didsbury needed cool heads.

Both batsmen knuckled down and put on 40 for the seventh wicket, with some excellent running between the wickets. Rehmani regretted the decision to bat without a thigh-pad when he was peppered by the ball from a throw in the field, needing a short pause in the game. Macclesfield had started to lose hope, but were given a lifeline as Rehmani was bowled shortly after the break.

Didsbury still needed 15/20 runs with Haris coming into bat - nails were being bitten and every run cheered. The game was a dead-rubber, but Didsbury had started to enjoy winning games from these situations.

Haris was dismissed and Dids were eight down with five or so more runs to get. Having left the ball well for a few overs, Bells manifested his inner Virat Kohli with a booming drive through the off-side to win the game for Didsbury, with Sunil carrying his bat throughout, a top knock.

We don’t make it easy for ourselves, but it’s another win and some good performances in there from the team.

Onwards to the final game of the season at Cheadle Hulme tomorrow who have already been relegated. Not entirely sure what to expect from the opposition.

Six other teams could get relegated from Division One tomorrow in what is expected to be a rain-impacted day of cricket. Could be some questionable team-sheets and interesting results…

Match Report written by "Tom Beresford"