Audlem C C v Kidsgrove

Audlem began their NSSCCL Division 7 season by welcoming promotion favourites Kidsgrove to Gorse Croft.

Captain Chris Shenton called correctly at the toss and had no hesitation with electing to bat on a particularly windy day in South Cheshire. Shenton and Butler got Audlem off to a good start reaching 42-0 off the first 10. They negotiated the impressive seam bowling by Kidsgrove youngster James Green who bowled with good pace and discipline. Green got the first break through when he had Shenton caught behind in the 11th over for a well made 18. Rothwell joined Butler at the crease and the pair batted well putting on a further 44 before falling lbw to experienced spin bowler Ian Bailey. Butler departed later falling just short of a 50 to a terrific catch for 48. Tom Measures and Qhama Matthews steadied the ship, rotating the strike through the middle phase of the game. However, with the score on 140, Audlem lost both set batsman which brought debutant Shaik and wicket-keeper Parkinson to the crease. Some lower order hitting from Parkinson, Shaik, Malloy and Mcilveen meant that Audlem had reached a more than respectable 189-7 off their allotted 40 overs.

With the game in the balance at the tea break, Audlem knew that they would need to bowl and field well in order to begin the 2022 with a win. They got off to a great start when open bowlers Swift and Mcilveen dismissed Kidsgove openers Wilkinson and Shaw to leave Kidsgrove in early trouble at 16-2. It was Swift's 500th wicket for the club. With the experienced Chris Highfield at the crease, Audlem knew that their was still a long way to go. Kidsgrove's number 3 had impressed during both games against Audlem last season. Highfield hit 5 early boundaries and Washington 4 to help to move Kidsgrove onto 65-2 and on course for a close contest. All rounder Dan Butler's golden arm was key as he quicklu dismissed the set Highfield and Washington for 25 and 29 respectively. This brought Green and Kidsgrove's skipper Christian Barber to the crease. The pair batted well against the varied Audlem attack. They showed patience, waiting to pounce on any short or wide deliveries.

With Kidsgrove reaching 113-4 after 23 overs they were favourites for the match. However, the experienced Neil Humphries dismissed Green to take his 500th wicket for Audlem Cricket Club. Bailey and Barber pushed Kidsgrove towards the target to leave Grove requiring 50 off the last 10 overs for victory with 5 wickets in Hand. Swift returned to the attack and dismissed Bailey, caught and bowled in his first over back. Humphries dismissed Homer in the next over. With Kidsgrove on 137-7 Audlem were applying the squeeze. After a couple of tight overs, Swift got the all important wicket on Kidsgrove's skipper Barber for a well made 45 thanks to an excellent catch from Qhama Matthews. Parkinson completed a brilliant all round game as he came on to mop up the tail by dismissing Lee and Wooten in the space of 2 overs.

Audlem 189-7 in 40 overs (Butler 48, Parkinson 29* and Measures 28).

Kidsgrove 160 all out in 39 overs. (Swift 3-19, Parkinson 2-8, Humphries 2-32 and Mcilveen 1-19).

Audlem travel to Scot Hay next Saturday at 1pm as they take on Porthill Park in what should be a cracking game. Porthill Park were comprehensive winners in their first game of the season against Checkley.