Audlem CC: Caverswall 17th June 2018

Audlem Sunday X1 .v. Caverswall – 17th June 2018

Audlem played hosts to Caverswall in Sunday's Stone League encounter watched by a larger than average crowd with the inclusion of a party of the local Audlem Ramblers swelling the ranks who had earlier completed a circular walk and were encamped in Audlem's version of Edgbaston's Eric Hollies Stand set between the wicket roller and the covers.

Audlem won the toss and elected to bat in chilly conditions with a stiff breeze blowing across the ground. The opening pair of A.Naveed and Simon Swift got the innings off to a fine start putting on 42 for the first wicket. Simon was run out for a useful 14 and this brought 14 year old Luke Harding to the wicket – promoted from his usual 6 or 7 slot. He then proceeded to play an innings well beyond his years by 'seeing off' Caverswall's most effective and dangerous bowler, Jak Hassall whilst accumulating steady runs with a succession of middle order partners.

The game took a dramatic turn when no7 batsman Ronnie Farnell strode to the wicket. He proceeded to strike the ball to all parts of the ground with a succession of classic and improvised strokes that was a joy to behold. From the precarious position of 67 for 5 Audlem closed their innings on 211 without further loss of wickets with Ronnie finishing on 103 not out and Luke on 33 not out combining a match winning 144 run partnership.

The home team were able to attack with plenty of runs now to defend and opening bowlers A Naveed and Reggie Farnell were soon amongst the wickets reducing Caverswall to 20 for 4 . A brief flurry from Chris Dutton and Bilal Ahmed gave the visitors brief hope but on their demise the innings soon subsided and the visitors were all out for 72 in the 19th over.

Reg Farnell 23 for 2 A.Naveed 29 for 4 Tayeef Hussein 6 for 2 Charlie Hine 1 for 1

John Wainwright
(Audlem CC)

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