Audlem Cricket Club Match Report

Saturday – no play

Audlem's cricketers were frustrated on Saturday when the weather prevented any play in their inaugural game in the North Staffs and South Cheshire League away to near neighbours Crewe Vagrants.

Sunday – Match v Burton

The Sunday team certainly had the better day to play their first away fixture at Burton (Chester). To some of the old second X1 lads in the squad a journey to the Wirral wasn't greeted with a great deal of enthusiasm as most of the previous opponents had their grounds situated adjacent to a petrochemical plant , set in an industrial estate or was in the middle of acres of featureless playing fields which involved dragging all your kit and belongings to the required pitch. The left turn off the A41 away from the industrial sprawl was an introduction to another part of the Wirral and reaching the picture postcard village of Burton was a very pleasant surprise. The ground was in excellent condition and set in the middle of pleasant countryside much to the relief of the touring party.

Audlem won the toss and decided to bat on a soft green track which hadn't been covered during the previous day's downpour so a high scoring game was not anticipated but the captain reasoned that the conditions would not alter for the duration of the game and was better to set a target than chase one. A 40 overs per innings game was agreed upon with a draw as a possible result if the bowling side could not dislodge the batsmen of the team batting second.

The Burton bowling attack was steady if not spectacular but made run scoring difficult and with a flurry of wickets and the retirement of young opening batsman, Luke Harding (31 no) due to a shoulder injury sustained whilst batting the visitors found themselves in a spot of bother. This week's batting saviour was wicket-keeper Dave Parkinson (49) who had great support from Ollie Banfield (11) & Simon Swift (14) and was unlucky to fall one short of his half century after being run out on 49. (In last season's home fixture against the same opposition Nick Hancock was dismissed for the same score thus both players escaping standing the obligatory round of drinks for the team). Audlem eventually closed their innings when they were all out for 141 in the final over.

With Luke unable to field Audlem had to use their travelling 12th man to make up the numbers. The visitors opening bowling attack consisted of Simon Swift (4.1 ov 2m 2 for 16) & 12 year old Lauren Kenvyn (8 ov 2m 4 for 23) who soon had the home team in trouble. Four of the top five batsmen fell within the first 10 overs with only the belligerent opening bat, B. Jones (30) taking on the bowlers with some very powerful premeditated leg side hitting but was finally snared by a very clever slower ball from Lauren which clean bowled him whilst attempting to hit across the line.

The change of bowling brought no respite for Burton's middle order batsmen as Tanin Ahmed (Taz to everyone who knows him from Ayaans in the village) after a shaky start settled into a rhythm to finish his 8 over spell with fine figures of 3 for 22 on his debut for the Sunday team. He was ably supported by Andy Burton, Dave Slack and Paddy Leese at the other end as the home team subsided to 76 for 8, still 65 runs off Audlem's total.

At last no.6 batsman , M.Powell (57no) found a partner to stay with him in no.10, A.Frampton (17) and the game was heading for an exciting climax but the reintroduction of opening bowler Simon Swift stopped the run surge just 17 runs short of the target to give the visitors a narrow victory.

A special mention must be made of 12 year old Lauren Kenvyn who is in her second season playing for the Sunday team. It is her first foray into open aged cricket after excelling in the various age groups of Woore's outstanding junior set up . She also turns out of Meakins Ladies X1 and represents her county (Shropshire). It is a pleasure to play alongside such a talented youngster who shows great enthusiasm and knowledge of the game. She has a bright future ahead of her.

Next weekend

Next Saturday the league team hope to eventually get their season under way with a home fixture against Meakins CC from Hanley (1:00pm) and the Sunday team play host to Poppyfields from The West Midlands (also 1:00pm). Spectators are welcome to both games

John Wainwright

Audlem Cricket Club