Audlem Cricket Club report

Audlem Sunday X1 v Middlewich Sunday X1 19 April

After the previous weekend's convincing victory over Macclesfield, Audlem's Sunday cricketers had a stiff challenge on their hands against a skillful and youthful Middlewich X1 at The Gorse Croft.

Returning skipper, Ollie Banfield won the toss and as is customary chose to bat first on a flat looking deck with favourable weather conditions on the day. A fine 51 partnership between Andy Jackson ( 37 ) and Hamish Howard ( 26 ) got the hosts off to a good start which was followed by another half century partnership between Andy and Jake Topping ( 38 ). With the score on 115 for 1 in the 21st over and plenty of batting to come a score in excess of 240 looked on the cards but the introduction of the slower change bowlers into the attack started to pose problems for the hosts batting lineup . The next 13 overs saw the game turned on its head with only all-rounder Bertie Hardy ( 22 ) able to get to grips with the bowling and with the score on 159 for 9 in the 35th over the situation looked perilous. Thankfully the ever dependable Dave Parkinson (31 not out )was still at the crease and joined by the canny Conor Howard ( 0 not out )were able to add a crucial 28 runs in an unbroken 10th wicket partnership as the innings closed on 187 for 9.

Comparisons were mentioned with the famous partnership between Ben Stokes and Jack Leach during the tea interval but in this instance the team still had a game to win.

Middlewich were keeping up with the scoring rate in pursuit of victory but Audlem's bowlers held their nerve and chipped away at the wickets with young Harry Measures maintaining his fine start to the season in dismissing both openers in fine spells of 8 overs 3 for 35 ably supported by Conor Howard ( 8 overs 2 for 28 ). Bertie Hardy ( 4 over 1 for 10 ) & Alfie Hardy ( 8 overs 1 for 35 ) Middlewich eventually finished their innings on 156 for 7 after fine knocks of 39 from Frazer Summers. 20 to Thomas Webb but the star of the show was young Jonas Flanagan with a fine unbeaten 52 to take his team close at the finish.

Next week we see the start of the league season with the first team at home to Norton-in-Hales and the second X1 travelling to Mossley to lock horns with Newcastle and Hartsill. The following day the Sunday team are at home to Aston with all games starting at 1.00pm