Audlem Draw First Blood

If you had been sent down in a time machine on Saturday to sun and blue skies at the Brittles you would have been forgiven for thinking we were in the throes of summer. However, only the chilly temperature belied the fact this was the first game of a new cricket season.

Gear bought, subs unpaid and nets avoided, Audlem's 1st XI made the short trip to Wisaston to kick off their Division 1 campaign following promotion last year.

In the close season, Director of Cricket Richard Wilson was once again very busy from his Madrid base, using his extensive range of contacts to secure the signing of Dan Butler for a club record fee of 5 Volcanoes, 2 bottles of Alpecin's Regain shampoo and a Spanish dictionary.

Andy 'Mandy' Rothwell's intensive fitness regime, including a month in an Austrian training camp, has reaped little reward. In an interview with GQ Magazine, he cited issues with his 'glands' which has been 'incredibly debilitating'.

Chris Shenton has rejoined the club after spending the entire of 2015 in The Leopard and Nottingham's tourism industry has taken a hit with the news Qhama Matthews will not be spending a weekend there until September at the earliest.

Despite the sunshine, heavy rain over the past month meant a green surface greeted both Captains at the toss at 12:30. Stanway, in a welcome change from last season, called correct and invited Wisaston to make first use of the surface.

4' 7" Callum Mcilveen and 6' 6" Dan Butler made a fine sight opening the bowling for the visitors and it did not take long for the little and large partnership to start working their magic. Mcilveen had Jobbins brillianty caught at slip by Rothwell in the 6th over for a duck. Once christened 'Dropwell', the Boltonian leapt to his right and somehow managed to pluck the ball out of the air one handed and hold on for a stunning catch.

This set the bar high for the rest of Stanway's men and they restricted the hosts to just 16 runs from the first 8 overs.

Never far from the limelight, Matthews was soon giving Mcilveen his second wicket of the day with arguably an even better catch. Jack Stokes must have thought his perfectly timed off drive was screaming to the fence until Matthews flew out of nowhere to take an incredible diving catch. Shenton, who had not played for the club in a year, could only rub his eyes in amazement.

Next it was Butler's turn to get in on the act. Playing in a top that appeared to have been sprayed on, he bowled Giannasi for Wisaston's third duck of the day and now the home side were suddenly in a spot of bother.

Mcilveen was insatiable, trapping Hussain (2) lbw and having Botham (0) caught in the covers and Audlem were jubilant as the hosts were quickly reduced to 24-5 and in all kinds of trouble.

Opener Barlow was still at the crease and it took an excellent delivery from Butler to have him caught behind for 19. Barnes and Thornhill scored 7 apiece but the wickets kept tumbling as Mcilveen picked up his 5th and then surrendered his end to the evergreen Neil Humphries, who took all of 6 balls to pick up his first wicket of the season.

Butler's probing length, which has come under some scrutiny of late, wrapped up the innings for 48 in the 20th over. Mcilveen had recorded 5-12 and Butler 4-21.

To most cricket lovers, 49 runs would appear to be the proverbial cake walk. 65 overs left in the game, 10 wickets in hand, nice and steady, lads.

However, this is Audlem. Prone to at at least four batting collapses a season, everyone knew there was bound to be a sting in the tail.
Or was there?

Stanway and Rothwell opened up and moved the visitors to a mere 36 runs shy of a famous victory before Rothwell was bowled for 7 by Hogben. George cut his first ball for 4 but quickly followed his team mate back to the pavilion in an identical fashion. The Swiss international's dismissal started a procession; Matthews (0) was also bowled, Kural (1) caught, and Banfield (0) lbw as Mike Kingdom ripped through the visitors middle order. At 24-5 it was game on.

Stanway, Audlem's top run scorer last year, appeared unfazed by the turnstile nature of his side's batting. Now running out of partners he began to play his shots before he was left stranded. Shenton was soon to provide the day's highlight, somehow managing to fall over his own legs and end up in a heap at the non-strikers end after a quickly taken single, much to the amusement of his watching team mates. He was removed soon after for just 2 however, as Audlem continued to lose wickets.

With 15 runs required debutant Dan Butler joined his skipper at the crease to steady the crowd's nerves and guide the Badgers home by 4 wickets. Stanway finished 25*, the highest score of the match, and only the 2nd player in the day to reach double figures.

Audlem took 20 points and Wisaston 3.

After the game we were able to speak to the winning Captain Stuart Stanway who told us, 'It was great to pick up the win. Wisaston are a strong side and finished 3rd last year and maybe we just caught them cold today. We are happy to consolidate this year and with it being the first game of the season the most important thing is the result- and we got that today.

"Bowling and fielding were excellent, Dan Butler was brilliant on debut too and looks a real asset. I don't want to be too critical but we didn't bat well enough and we'll be looking to improve on that for next week."

With the match over by 3.45, there was glee around the dressing room when many realised they still had at least 5 hours before their spouses expected them home. Mcilveen in particular expressed his delight he would be able to make it on time for his Chinese takeaway that evening and was later spotted sifting through his postbox.

Rumours surrounding new fast bowler Dan Butler and his association with a character known only as 'Dale' so far appear to be unfounded and Tom Kural's appearance on Most Haunted UK is due to air in the autumn after his application for Jonathan Creek was refused.

Next week Audlem are at home to Macclesfield side Pott Shrigley in a 1.00pm start.

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