Audlem Cricket Reports

Weekend July 9th/10th

Saturday vs Kidsgrove

Audlem suffered a six wicket defeat at the hands of Kidsgrove on a baking hot day at The Kinnersley Ground on Saturday.

Losing the toss and being invited to bat first was not what the visiting skipper, Chris Shenton had in mind as Audlem would have much preferred a run chase on the day. Kidsgrove's bowling was tidy but their fielding was top drawer as they took all their catches and restricted the runs throughout in trying conditions. A few batsmen got starts but only Tom Measures who scored a fluent 41 managed to progress and contribute a meaningful innings to the eventual total of 144 all out.

Audlem knew this small target was going to be difficult to defend against one of the best batting units in the division . Despite removing the dangerous Chris Highfield with the score on 27 Kidsgrove were able to inch their way towards the small total without too many alarms but the bowlers stuck to their task and managed to claim 3 more victims along the way before Kidsgrove achieved the victory with 3 overs to spare. Callum McIlveen completed his 8 overs with figures of 2 for 25 with Ron Paul and Neil Humphries each claiming a victim.

Sunday vs Poppyfields

Conditions the following day were even more oppressive as Audlem welcomed Poppyfields to The Gorse Croft.

The visitors are a nomadic team whose members are mainly based in the West Midlands with one of the team making the long journey from Hereford for the game. Skipper Ollie Banfield made the noble gesture in inviting Poppyfields to bat on being informed that a couple of the visitors were going to be late arrivals ... but also aware that members of the home team had issues at the other end of the afternoon. Matt Furber had a large field of hay down that required baling that evening and Zar Ahmed was under strict orders to return as early as possible to celebrate Eid with his family.

Poppyfields repaid Ollie's generosity by clocking up a huge total of 255 for 8 off their allocation with fielders spending a good part of the afternoon retrieving the ball from the surrounding fields but the bowlers stuck to their tasks with Richard Irvine claiming 3 wickets for 57 including that of captain D. Hayhurst caught at slip for 99.

Audlem's reply didn't get off to the best of starts as Matt was soon on his way to the harvest field and Zar tucking into his celebration feast and when Martin Malloy (36) was dismissed the situation looked grim for the hosts. At 55 for 5 the game looked all over bar the shouting but young Luke Harding ( 63 not out ) and Abhi Jayden (111 ) took the game to the opposition with some delightful stroke play sending the ball to all parts of the ground and beyond in a magnificent stand of 186 for the seventh wicket before Abhi fell to a good catch in the deep. Richard Irvine completed a good individual all round performance to assist Luke in overhauling the daunting target.

A great day's cricket played in the right spirit and we will be welcoming Poppyfields back to the Gorse croft for a second fixture this season on September 4th

Next Weekend

Next weekend the Saturday team host table topping Porthill Park whilst their Sunday counterparts make the short journey up to Woore with both games scheduled for a 1.00pm start.

John wainwright

Audlem Cricket Club