1st XI overcome Offerton

The 1st XI entertained Stockport-based Offerton last Saturday at the Gorse Croft. Newly installed skipper Callum McIllveen kept up his 100% record as captain with a 4-wicket victory.

McIllveen won the toss and elected to bowl in overcast conditions on a bouncy track. His decision was quickly vindicated as the visitors slipped to 17 for 3 from their first 10 overs with the returning Ollie Burney snaring danger man Ian Bates and Stuart Elkes picking up his first two scalps of the season.

However, Tom Fletcher and Liam Scholes rallied to lead their team past 50 and looked to build a large score. However, spinner Neil Humphries had other ideas; claiming six victims for the second week running as Offerton were eventually all out for 127 in 35 overs with the left-armer returning a superb 6 for 29.

With the sun now beaming down and 52 overs remaining to chase down the required runs, even the hosts struggled to find a way to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory, although they did try. Chris Shenton was caught in the covers for single figures and Andy Rothwell followed soon after, leaving the match delicately poised at 32 for 2.

Paddy Leese set anchor and led Audlem assuredly towards their victory target with able support from Kemal Toraman (23). Dave Morris, Qhama Matthews and McIllveen all fell for low scores leaving Leese and Burney to see the team home, with the former finishing on 39 not out.

Audlem gained 20 points and Offerton 9. The win moves Audlem above Offerton into sixth place in Division 2. On Saturday they travel to tenth-place Styal, hoping to make it three wins in a row.

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