Audlem Cricket Report

Audlem travelled to the scenic Scot Hay cricket ground to take on Porthill Park 4th team. On what looked a green seamer friendly surface, Porthill won the toss and unsurprisingly elected to field.

Youngsters Max Blurton and Ethan Plummer quickly showed that the decision was a good one, bowling tight line and length and getting some exaggerated seam movement. Skipper Shenton and regular opening batsman Dan Butler could barely lay bat on ball in the early exchanges but managed to keep their wickets in tact as they scored a meagre 23 runs in the 8 over power play.

When Blurtons luckless 6 overs (for seven runs) came to an end runs began to flow and the openers moved the score on to 63 before skipper Shenton was bowled for 30 trying to accelerate the scoreboard.

Rothwell soon followed but Butler by now was looking in imperious form and passed 50 as he and the assured Tom Measures put on 60 for the third wicket. With the score on 125 Butler was bowled for a well constructed 82.

Matthews came to the crease and continued to move Audlem's score along. A score well in excess of 200 looked possible at one point but the introduction of young spinner Charlie Chorlton changed that. He took 5 late wickets for 27 runs as the Audlem players looked to find the boundary. Audlem's innings came to close on a very respectable 189 for 8 off their 40 overs.

With the sun beating down and the pitch drying out Audlem knew that defending 190 would be a tough challenge. When opening bowlers Swift and Mcilveen took an early wicket each Audlem sensed a quick victory.

However Leo Plummer and Craig Chorlton started finding the boundary with ease. The loss off Butler after 1.3 overs with a hamstring injury proving costly. Plummer was out for 41 and wickets began to tumble.

Chorlton was holding up one end and things changed when young Harry Stubbs came out to join him with the score on 117-6. After starting with a degree of caution Stubbs started to play shots all round the Scott Hay ground.

Chorlton fell for 53 and Blurton soon followed as the tension grew. It came down to the last over with Porthill needing 9 to win. With seasoned death bowler Swift being given the responsibility Audlem were still favourites but Stubbs had other ideas. He pulled a short ball from Swift into the car park and two balls later the game was lost. Stubbs finishing with 45 from just 41 balls.

It was a wonderful game of cricket played in great spirits. Porthill taking 18 points to Audlems 11. Audlem go again this weekend hosting Audley 3's.

Please come down to the Gorse Croft ground and show your support