Cricket Report

Saturday's Game

Saturday's game at Rode Park & Lawton was abandoned after just 31 overs of play due to the heavy rain showers that decimated the cricket programme in the area.

With Audlem well on top and looking set for another victory the rain showed no sign of relenting so the captains had no option but to shake hands and call it a day.

The visitors had won the toss ,inserted the hosts and had restricted them to 71 for 4 with only 9 overs of the innings remaining.

The day's frustration was compounded when the news came through that Cheadle, who are Audlem's main challengers for the title managed to play their game which resulted in a comprehensive victory and claim maximum points on the day.

Next Saturday Audlem play hosts to Moddershall & Oulton CC ( 1.00pm )

Sunday team

The Sunday team had more luck with the weather and managed to play a full game in their second encounter of the season against Poppyfields from the west midlands.

Audlem's habit of winning the toss and batting first continued. Operer's Steve Ellsmore and Richard Irvine put on 31 runs for the first wicket but the early impetus came from Marcus Taylor ( 33 ) & Umair Bhukari ( 18 ) who accelerated the rate with a fine array of scoring shots around the ground. With both Marcus and Umair departing in quick succession the score subsides to 105 for 7 with the middle order failing to fire and it was left to the ever dependable Usman Ghani ( 79 ) to get the team to a respectable total at the tea interval ( 185 all out in 39.5 overs ).

Audlem were missing some regular bowlers and wicket keeper from their line up but still managed to put up a great fight against their opponents who got home in the 37th over with 5 wickets in hand. The wicket takers were Connor Howard ( 8 overs 29 for 2 ) Usman Ghani ( 8 over 23 for 1 ) and Irfan Shiek ( 5 over 24 for 2 but a special mention must go to young David Cottrell who took on the wicket keeping duties and performed magnificently for the team.

Next Sunday Audlem play hosts to Wistaston ( 1.00pm )

John Wainwright
Audlem Cricket Club