Another win for Audlem Sunday XI

Audlem Sunday XI.v. Stone and Swynnerton Park CC (22nd July)

In just looking at the scores it would appear that Audlem completed a regulation victory against Stone CC on Sunday but just 6 overs into the game Paddy Power would have been paying out for an away win as the visitors were off to a 'flyer' after winning the toss and electing to bat in perfect conditions. 46 without loss with the ball being dispatched to all parts of the ground by the opening pair. Young Sam Butters especially was harsh on anything pitched on or near leg stump and it looked like a long afternoon in the field for the Audlem lads.

Audlem old boy, Leo North, arrived on the scene after taking a break watching the Open Golf just in time to witness a dramatic change in fortunes as both openers fell in quick time followed by a succession of their early and middle order colleagues to totally change the complexion of the game and determine its final outcome. Shaj Ali jnr and Simon Swift were the men of the moment and swung the game back in the home team's favour reducing the visitors to 69 for 6 (aided by a run out).

A brief recovery ensued with experienced no.8 Ian Sutton guiding his young colleagues to what looked like a decent total but the introduction of spinners Charlie Hine and Andy Thorburn changed the dynamics and when Sutton started to lose his batting partners the innings soon unravelled to finish on 123 all out.

After partaking of an exceptional banquet provided and presented by the Farnell family Audlem's batsmen set about their task of overhauling the decidedly under par total set by their visitors.

Stone's first XI spin bowler, Max Cuthbert, fresh from bowling 17 overs the previous day at Elworth in the North Staffs and South Cheshire Premier Division caused some initial concerns by removing both openers but the runs were coming freely, predominantly off the bat of the belligerent Andy Thorburn, who was especially harsh on Rob Pochwyt flaying him to all parts of the ground and removing him from the front line of attack and making it a miserable day for the visiting skipper after being dismissed for a second ball duck during the Stone innings.

Young Luke Harding playing in his usual composed way was the perfect partner for Andy who fell just before the end but their match winning partnership of 67 ensured a maximum points haul for the Audlem lads.

Stone and Swynnerton Park CC 123 all out in 26.3 overs

Sam Butters 33; Ian Sutton 46.

Audlem Sunday XI 126 for 5 in 23.5 overs.

Andy Rothwell 18, A. Naveed 10, Luke Harding 27 not out, Andy Thorburn 38

Audlem won by 5 wickets

Next week Audlem travel to Moddershall to lock horns with the pace setters of the division before the return encounter the following week in the cup semi-final

John Wainwright� ( Audlem CC )�

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