Audlem 2nds back on top

Matches against Appleton 3rd XI often produce memorable performances and Saturday's encounter at the Gorse Croft was no exception.

Confronted by an exceptionally hard wicket the visitors' eyes lit up and they had no hesitation in batting first on an unusually beautiful but breezy summer's day.

After his outstanding performance the previous week, Saj Ali Jnr became aware of the vagaries of the cricketing fates as he struggled to keep his prodigious swing under control.

Keeper North was required to work unscheduled overtime to ensure that none of the wides conceded more than a single as Saj Jnr speared the ball with pace towards the boundary but fortunately his opening partner Rob Mottershead was his usual accurate self.

Rob took the first wicket with the score at 32 after 6 overs and within 3 overs he had reduced Appleton to 32-4, twice on a hat-trick, the highlight of the three wickets a diving two-handed catch from slip Lyndon Woodcock.

After 9 overs he had 5-28 and when stubborn opener Tim Parker (13) departed stumped by North off Woodcock, an early finish looked inevitable at 63-6. Ravi Elaprolu, having arrived after a late lunch, was not interested in an early tea however and proceeded to batter 53 runs (46 in boundaries) to bring up his maiden 50.

Ironically, given that one of the groundsmen was bowling to him, he claimed never to have batted on such a good wicket. At the other end he was well supported by skipper Marcus Pepper and together they pulled the score to 152 before Ravi played the shot that had frequently been so successful and was bowled by Mottershead, to general relief all round.

Ali Jnr had by now found his range and direction and removed Jackson for 16 and when number 11 King was stumped by an amazing distance, Appleton were all out for 185, with Pepper undefeated on an excellent 63.

Damage from Elaprolu meant Mottershead ended up with 6-67, Woodcock 3-50, Ali Jnr 1-32 and Reg Farnell (two catches dropped off his bowling) 0-36.

Three slips and a gully are seldom seen at the Gorse Croft but Appleton soon found the Audlem batsmen in an uncompromising mood. Zar Ahmed conjured a 5 in his attempt to run himself out and was bowled for a patient 14, 2 short of the number of runs he had inadvertently conceded in the field.

Danny Thorburn batted with confidence before becoming a victim of the Oli Banfield 'drinks curse' and was bowled for a fine 30 before Saj Ali Snr, who had batted assuredly for his 24, gave his wicket away with a Wilsonesque run-out.

This brought Rob Mottershead to the wicket who quickly took revenge on Elaprolu, giving him some of his own medicine as he raced to 38, with 6 fours and a towering six over the pavilion. Not to be outdone Reggie Farnell hit his first-ever senior six over the field sightscreen and batted impeccably for a 30 not out that displayed quality and maturity.

Paul Thorburn chipped in with an undefeated 6 as Audlem reached the necessary total with 10 overs and 6 wickets to spare.

Nearly 400 runs were scored for the second home game running and this superb victory takes Audlem 2nds back to the top of the table by 6 points as Stretton surprisingly lost at home to Bowdon Vale, a timely warning to Audlem 2nds who travel to play the Vale this Saturday.

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