Cracking win for 1st XI over Knutsford

Following a poor defeat at Bowdon Vale the previous week, the 1st XI dropped one place to fourth in Division 2. However, they returned to winning ways against eighth-place Knutsford by 79 runs at the Gorse Croft.

The toss was won by skipper Callum McIlveen who had no hesitation in electing to bat. Openers Andy Rothwell and Chris Shenton were out cheaply but Rich Wilson and Stu Stanway put on a decent 50 partnership as the runs began to flow. Stanway was eventually trapped lbw for 24 and Kemal Toraman followed him back to the pavilion quickly, leaving Audlem at 79 for 4.

Paddy Leese joined Wilson and they added 91 runs for the fifth wicket before Leese (26) was caught at deep point and Wilson (63) at long on as the score moved to 180 for 6. Qhama Matthews (14), Neil Humphries (13) McIlveen (24 not out) and Simon Swift (6 not out) took the score to 233 for 9 before the declaration came with three overs remaining.

Knutsford got off to a shaky start as they were reduced to 18 for 4 by some fine swing bowling from Stuart Elkes and McIlveen. However, the tide then turned and a fine 60-run partnership between Adnan Ghazanfar and John Sheldon got the visitors back into the match.

Needing the breakthrough, Audlem got it with the introduction of Stanway, who bowled Sheldon for 28. Fifteen runs later, Humphries trapped Ghazanfar lbw for 41. Stanway then reduced the visitors to 115 for 9 with excellent bowling as Audlem re-established their superiority. A fine last-wicket stand by Adam Clayton (22 not out) and Tim Morphett (12) took the visitors to 154 before Humphries claimed the scalp of Morphett to end the match.

Stanway (4 for 23), Elkes (3 for 24) and Humphries (2 for 24) were the pick of the Audlem bowlers as Audlem claimed 25 points and Knutsford 8. As a result, Audlem remain in fourth place.

On Saturday the 1st XI travel to Hazel Grove to play seventh-place Norbury.

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