Audlem 2nd X1 win by 179 runs

Audlem 2nd XI win by 179 runs

On the first Saturday of August Audlem 2nd XI maintained their 6 point lead at the top of the table with a comprehensive victory over Hartford 2nd XI at the Gorse Croft.

Batting first, Audlem quickly lost in-form opener Danny Thorburn for 4, bowled by Hamza Bohra who went on to complete a very tidy 15 overs of swing bowling (1-37). Zar Ahmed and Ronnie Farnell, with their contrasting styles, did well to steady the innings with Ronnie hitting 6 fours before being stumped for an enterprising 30. Shaj Ali Snr once again batted impressively whilst Zar continued his perfected strategy of soft-handed neat nudges and deft dabs interspersed with flashing shots through point to the boundary.

Any fans or team-mates looking forward to distracting themselves on the new pool table during his sojourn will miss out on the chance of seeing a carefully constructed innings rarely seen in today's local village cricket, ( or even from Australian test batsmen!)

After 33 overs with the score at 131-2, rain forced the players from the field and an early tea was taken. Zar, showered with advice and batting tips as he contentedly munched his sandwiches with 55 runs to his name, emerged from the pavilion a changed man (and not a better one). After a reverse pull that brought more mirth than runs he was bowled attempting last week's un-Zarlike hoik and left the field for a typically grafted but invaluable 57.

His pre-tea innings had achieved a basis from which his team-mates were now able to profit and runs started to come freely. Fittingly the day after a blue moon, Ali Snr departed to that most unusual 4th Division dismissal, LBW, to Aiyappa Cheeyakapoovanda (CJ) for an entertaining 40.

Toby Banfield then found a soul-mate in Shaj Ali Jnr and the tip-and-run as the pair merrily scampered impossible singles resembled a family enjoying their cricket on Blackpool beach. Ali Jnr joyfully overhauled his elder brother with two balls to go in the last over to reach an impressive 44 not out and Toby Banfield looked completely at home with his 28 not out, the innings finishing on 233-4.

Faced with such a daunting total, Hartford now had the unenviable task of facing a rampant Ronnie Farnell and his swinging younger brother Reg. The latter swung the ball round opener Pendlebury's legs who was dismissed for nought before fellow-opener CJ, sensing no danger, was brilliantly run out by a direct hit from long leg Ronnie Farnell. Ronnie and Reggie tormented the top order with their pace and swing and by the time their spells had to end had taken 3-25 and 2-21 respectively.

Next on the bill were the Ali brothers who conceded no runs from the bat in mopping up the remaining batsmen. Senior took 1 wicket for 0 runs and Junior's 2-4 included 4 wides, the two wickets coming from the two straight balls he bowled. In fact 19 wides were top scorer in a total of 54 all out in 14.4 overs.

Audlem travel to Mossley on Saturday with 13 victories in 16 matches behind them and 6 matches remaining in the season.

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