Cricket Report

The final weekend of the cricket season saw both of Audlem's teams in action with home fixtures against Wood Lane on Saturday and the local derby with neighbours and old friends from Woore the following day.

Saturday's game was a one sided affair with Wood Lane being sent back home without earning a single point in their 9 wicket defeat with the game all done and dusted before 3.00pm.

Wood Lane were dismissed for only 55 in 19.5 overs with Audlem stalwart, Simon Swift the chief tormenter claiming 5 of the top order batsmen for 13 runs in his 6 overs ably assisted by veteran spin bowler, Neil Humphries who snared 3 victims for a solitary run in his 4 overs. Kemal Toraman and Abijith Jayan were the other wicket takers. Audlem had no concerns overhauling the paltry target with Dan Butler dominating the reply with 42 not out and finishing the game in 15.1 overs.

Sunday's game couldn't have been more different with the dominance of ball over bat from the previous day completely reversed with visiting Woore overhauling the host's total of 229 for 8 with 5 wickets in hand and more than 5 overs to spare earning a comprehensive and well deserved victory. The game was in the balance until a fine unbroken partnership of 101 between Dan Manning and Hassan Haleem took the game away from Audlem's toiling fielders. Abijith was the pick of the bowling with 2 for 20 off his 7 overs. Earlier in the day the batting was dominated by a fine stand of 147 between Usman Ghani ( 75 ) and Adil Mahmood ( 80 ) in setting what was considered a challenging target for the opposition. A competitive game between neighbours played in the right spirit was completed by the both teams enjoying a meal delivered from Ayans in the village to round off another enjoyable season.

John Wainwright

Audlem Cricket Club