Audlem Cricket Report

Audlem Vs Rode Park

Audlem began their unbeaten start to the season by beating Rode Park in dramatic fashion. The home-side held their nerve to secure a tense 2 run victory over a strong Rode Park side.

For the second consecutive week, skipper Shenton lost the toss. With grey clouds and rain expected later in the day, Rode Park captain Jennison had no hesitation in asking Audlem to bat first. Despite this, openers Wilson and Butler made slow and steady reaching 26 without loss. Scoring was tough and as the pressure began to build, Wilson was tempted into a big shot. Unfortunately for him, this resulted in him losing his leg stump. This led to an crazy 30 minute period where Audlem lost a further 4 wickets whilst adding just 15 runs. At 41-5 and with Wilson, Butler, Rothwell, Jayan and Shaik back in the hutch Audlem were staring down the barrel. This brought the hard-hitting Salisbury to the crease. From ball 1 Salisbury looked at ease. At times he looked like he was playing on a different pitch to his team-mates. Salisbury combined with the watchful Measures to rescue Audlem from their nightmare start. The pair added a much needed 78 for the 6th wicket. Salisbury was the aggressor, hitting 8 boundaries in his 54 from just 52 balls. He was eventually dismissed, caught at long off by the impressive bowling of young Joel Gallimore. Measures was next to fall following a mix up with Ron Paul. He was run out for 36. A few lusty blows from Paul and Shenton helped to push Audlem beyond the 150 mark. Audlem were eventually dismissed when Parkinson was bowled from the final ball of the innings. Their total of 164 although not mammoth gave their bowlers something to work in the 2nd innings.

Audlem's opening pair of Swift and Jayan would have been hoping for quick wickets when play resumed after the tea break. Cloudy overhead conditions would have been something the pair would have been relishing. Despite several plays and misses and a couple of close LBW shouts, the opening pair of Blatherwick and Atkinson weathered the storm to frustrate Audlem. Skipper Shenton turned to Butler and Paul to find the much needed breakthrough but with the runs free-flowing and the chances drying up, for the 2nd time in the day, Audlem were staring down the barrel of defeat. At the drinks break Rode Park were cruising at 97-0, requiring just 66 runs in 20 overs with all 10 wickets in hand.

Shenton tossed the ball to all-rounder Parkinson. This meant that Wilson took the gloves and Parkinson bowling in tandem with the returning Jayan. It was Jayan who finally broke the Rode Park resistance curtesy of an outstanding one-handed diving catch from Wilson. Some tight Parkinson bowling at the other end helped to build the pressure. Hard-hitting Cosmos Cupid survived a huge LBW appeal from the Audlem spin bowler. At that point, and at 107-1 Audlem must have been thinking that today was destined not to be. Swift replaced Jayan at the field end and a slower ball tempted Cupid into one big hit too many. He skied the ball into orbit which gave Swift the opportunity to sprint to cover to take the caught and bowled chance. At this stage it appeared to be little more than a consolation. With Parkinson bowling tightly from one end, Shenton was able to rotate his seamers from the other end. Ron Paul picked up the key wicket of Blatherwick for an impressive 62 and then youngster Jacob Mountford for a duck. Parkinson snaffled Hulme caught and bowled for a duck and suddenly Rode Park were 111-5. As the game began to turn the pressure began to shift onto the Rode Park batters. The required run rate was climbing which tempted the experienced Neil Cheadle into trying to take the attack to Dan Butler. This lead to him giving a caught and bowled opportunity to Butler which he took confidently. At 121-6 Butler and Swift were given the job of seeing out the game for Audlem. Despite a couple of lusty blows from Jim Johnson and Callum Landon, Swift dismissed Johnson in the penultimate over which left Butler to close the game out. Rode Park needed 4 to win off the final delivery. Butler held his nerve and Landon was only able to push a single out to Shenton at long off. Audlem had snatched victory from the jaws of defeat by just 2 runs.

Ben Salisbury picks up the player of the match award in just his 2nd appearance of the season. Audlem were reeling at 41-5 and his quickfire 54 in a partnership of 78 with Measures helped to see them to a competitive total.

Audlem make the long journey to Moddershall on Saturday hoping to make it 3 wins from 3.

Unfortunately the Sunday team did not play this weekend. The game was cancelled due to Burton being unable to raise a team for the fixture. They will travel to Wistaston on the 7th of May hoping for a first victory of the season.