Well. What a first Saturday of the season that was for The MCC. Two victories for the 1st and 2nd team respectively, followed by a great start of season party. Sadly the weather played its part on Sunday, with the 3rd team only completing the half a game and the 4th team playing where they perhaps shouldn't due to the weather in Middlewich!

You can read more on last weeks action below, as well as a look ahead to this week as both Saturday sides face Dukinfield and both Sunday sides have fixtures too.

Thank you to all our match and ball sponsors, as well as our tea persons ahead of this weekend.

You can view the selected teams by clicking the button below.

Dukinfield 1st XI v Mottram 1st XI - 29th April, 12:30
Ball Sponsor – Andrew Metcalfe

The 1^st team make the short trip to rivals (and friends), Dukinfield.  Fresh from a convincing 6 wicket win over Bury on the opening day, Mottram will look to make it two from two.

It was Captain and Vice who have showed early form with the ball in hand, as Ryan Fitton took 3-34 and Danny Brightmore took 5-21. Honorable mention to Oliver Andrew who bowled a miserley opening spell of 10 overs (2-19), with 6 of them maidens. Ryan followed his bowling efforts up with a crucial 37 runs.

Dukinfield lost to Greenfield by the same margin of 6 wickets on the opening day. Rameez Alam is their new Professional for 2023. He scored 28 before losing the "battle of the Pro's". As ever, Will Allen is the other key dangerman with the bat. Beware too, the wily, canny, crafty, evergreen... Glynn Middleton!

Mottram 2nd XI v Dukinfield 2nd XI– 29th April, 12:30
Match Sponsor: Michael Beech

Ball Sponsor: Alan Martin

Tea Sponsor: Paul Marks

Saturday's home fixtures sees the reverse of the First team game, with Dukinfield travelling to the Sapphire MCG. Both sides had miraculous victories on Saturday last, albeit in two very different fashions.

Mottram faced Shaw, being asked to field with dampness everywhere. Shaw knew their own ground and amassed 220 all out from 40 overs. Bailey Russell was the pick of the bowlers with 4-58. As for the chase... much has been written and discussed in the days since but it's worth bringing up again. At 90-7 with 20 overs remaning, the Fat Lady was warming her vocal chords. However, she noticed Liam Wright was at the crease. What followed was remarkable, as Liam hit 95 not out, with a 6 off the penultimate ball to the long boundary. Scenes.

Dukinfield had a story to tell themselves. Batting first, they were 56 all out, which is arguably a good score at Dukinfield on a wet April's day, and so it proved. They proceeded to bowl Greenfield out for 42. Trevor Hyde was the pick of the bowlers (6-22) finding himself the most valued player in Division 4 East after Week 1, and we are sure to hear all about it this Saturday.

Failsworth Macedonia 2nd XI v Mottram 3rd XI – 30th April, 14:00
Ball Sponsor: Kudos Drinks

The Third Team face the long trip to south east Europe on Sunday as they head to Failsworth Macedonia.

They did manage to finally get some cricket in last Sunday, but only half a game against Prestwich was possible. That innings saw Mottram hit 164, 69 of them plundered by Mathew Harrop in an impressive stand with Adam Fitton as others fell around them at an alarming rate. Notable mention too for Ben Dadge who calmy accrued 30. The rain came shortly after tea and washed the rest of the game out. (What a tea it was by the way!.)

Little is known about the Macedonians and it is thought by this author to be the first ever meeting between the two clubs. Safe flight all.

Mottram 4th XI v Sale 5th XI – 30th April, 13:30
Match Sponsor: James Dadge
Ball Sponsor: The Davies Family
Tea Sponsor – Expleo

Fresh from a long old trip on Sunday to Middlewich, Sam Bennett's men and women look to tackle a Sale side this week in their final freindly before Derbyshire and Cheshire Division 2 action begins.

It's fair to say, 9 times out of 10, last Sundays match wouldn't have fone ahead such was the moisture out on the Middlewich wicket and outfield. However, water never hurt anybody (except the pride of M Beech as he slipped and was left crawling through the mud whilst being run out).

Despite the rain, it was a useful exercise for the young side, one they will look to build on this weekend.

Editors note- Since found out there is also a 4th team friendly game on Monday, away at Prestwich (11:00).