Audlem C C win the league

Saturday win makes ten in a row

Audlem's cricketers finished their season on Saturday by clinching the North Staffs and South Cheshire Div 8. title.

They completed a perfect season by winning their tenth game in a row following their 64 run victory over second placed Cheadle at The Gorse Croft. After being put in to bat Audlem managed to rack up 175 for 8 despite some good bowling, particularly from left arm quick Oliver Slinn. This was mainly down to the ever reliable all-rounder, Dan Butler who once again reached a half century and Andy Rothwell with a superb innings of 42 batting at number 3.

This total proved to be more than enough for the visitors as Audlem's opening bowlers, Simon Swift and Callum McIlveen blew Cheadle away taking 5 wickets between them to leave their visitors reeling on 29 for 5. Despite some lower order resistance Cheadle were eventually dismissed for 111 thanks to the final 5 wickets being shared by young James Cottrell, Neil Humphries and Dave Parkinson.

It capped an impressive season for the village side who have aspirations of climbing up the divisions as they look forward to the 2021 season.

Sunday game last-ball thriller

The Sunday season finished with a close encounter against neighbours, Woore with the game being settled off the very last ball of the match when visiting captain Dan Perks hit the winning run off home skipper Simon Swift. A fine game of cricket to end the season against our friends from 'up the road' who have been sharing our ground whilst their home, The Falcon Field has been out of commission .

Audlem were asked to bat first with ever reliable opener, Andy Burton partnering young Andrew Salmon putting on 44 for the first wicket. The hosts were forced to consolidate after 3 wickets fell in quick succession with ever reliable Dave Parkinson taking centre stage with a fine innings of 73 well supported by Ollie Banfield (17) and Simon Swift (18) to take the total to 188 for 8 off the allotted overs.

Audlem's bowlers were soon amongst the wickets with Lauren Kenvyn & Taz Ahmed taking early wickets and restricting the runs in equal measure. The visitors gained no respite with the introduction of juniors Ben Duncalf and David Cottrell into the attack sharing a further 3 wickets between them in their spell.

Number 7 bat, George Walker (48 not out) managed to survive a couple of near misses and get his team to within striking distance for the eventful final over and eventual victory off the final ball of the season. (a fine innings from young George).

A fitting final encounter for the shortened 2020 season with a good competitive game played in the right spirit and nearly half the players on show were juniors.

John Wainwright

Audlem Cricket Club