Audlem Cricket Club report

Second X1 -Marcus Taylor. Sam Patterson. Charles Birkin. Tom Measures. John Wainwright Ron Paul. Hamish Howard. Conor Howard ( Capt. ) Zar Ahmed. Dave Parkinson ( V. Capt & Wk )

Audlem's cricketers made it a clean sweep over the weekend with both Saturday league teams victorious and the following day their Sunday counterparts returned home from Aston with the spoils.

The Saturday 1st X1 made the long journey to Church Eaton

and came home with 18 points after a comprehensive victory, chasing down the host's lowly total of 80 all out but losing 5 wickets in the process. The winning runs were scored in only the 15th over of the reply with Vinu Reddy scoring a quickfire 45 using only 31 deliveries in doing so. He was supported in his quest by Chris Shenton who played the sheet anchor role with a composed 15 not out.

Earlier in the day Audlem's array of bowlers took centre stage with Alex Livingstone's 4 for 23 and Simon Swift's 3 for 13 being the stand out performances but well supported by their colleagues in dismissing the hosts in the 36th over.

The second X1 had an equally comfortable time at home to Cheadle

where they completed a 9 wicket victory in the 26th over of the reply to the visitor's 136 for 8 off their allotted overs. Charles Birkin's unbeaten 76 in a stand of 126 for the first wicket with the resolute Zar Ahmed ( 12 off 54 deliveries ) formed the backbone of the reply as they coasted home in comfort.

Cheadle's innings started badly as they were reduced to 13 for 3 in only the 5th over of the innings but a fine response from number 5 batsman, Chris Prince with a belligerent 81 off 105 deliveries gave the visitors some momentum. He was finally dismissed by young Harry Measures ( aided by a fine catch on the boundary by Ron Paul ) which turned the game heavily in Audlem's favour.

The host's disciplined bowling and tidy fielding with 11 maiden overs sent down were instrumental in keeping the total in check. Ron Paul was the stand out performer with 3 for 26, well supported by Dave Parkinson ( 3 for 40 ). Conor Howard ( 1 for 10 ) and Harry Measures with the key wicket of Chris Prince in conceding 30 runs off his full allocation of 8 overs.

The following day the Sunday X1 made the short journey to Aston

looking to avenge the previous weekend's narrow one wicket reverse.

With both Ollie Banfield and Jake Topping unavailable Bertie Hardy took on the job of skipper and promptly won the toss and elected to bat on a cool and overcast afternoon.

It proved to be a good decision as Audlem's batsmen set about their task of building a formidable platform. A fine 58 run partnership for the second wicket between Andy Jackson ( 23 ) & Alfie Hardy ( 50 retired not out ) set the tone then with Alfie joined by brother Bertie ( 30 ) adding another 68 rund for the third wicket. We were then treated to a father and son performance with young Harry ( Measures ) scoring a run-a-ball 38 and father Tom with a more pedestrian 45 off 53 deliveries. Eventually the visitors closed their innings on a formidable 254 for 8.

Audlem kept the reply in check by taking wickets at regular intervals with youngsters Ryan Anderton and Harry claiming 3 scalps apiece with Conor, Bertie and Dave P each having a one each. A fine knock by young G. Ratcliffe ( 31 ) kept his team in the hunt but the final wicket went down in the last allocated over of the day with the score on 158 to give Audlem victory by 96 runs.

Next week Audlem's first X1 welcome Ashcombe Park to the Gorse Croft whilst the second team travel to rural mid Staffordshire to take on Church Eaton. The following day the Sunday X1 play hosts to Market Drayton with all games scheduled for a 1.00pm start.

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