Cricket Report

Audlem experienced mixed fortunes over the weekend with two league games played at The Gorse Croft.

The Sunday game was one of the fixtures deferred from the enforced late start to the season with a visit of Stafford 3. Still smarting from their reverse the previous day at the hands of Stone & Swynnerton Park ,Audlem were intent on getting their season back on track and decided to bat first after winning the toss in very damp conditions after heavy overnight rain.
With no set score to reach the batsmen all looked a different prospect from the previous day when they crumbled in pursuit of a small total. With virtually everyone reaching double figures a score of 211 for 8 was achieved off the 40 overs. This was always going to be far too many for Stafford as early wickets fell with the top order back in the pavilion leaving the visitors reeling at 7 for 3. Stafford did try to regroup but with the bowling attack on top of their game the reply never really got under way with Abijith Jayan ( 3 for 12 ) & Kemal Toraman ( 4 for 16 ) leading the way with Vijayan Rahul & Dave Parkinson claiming the other victims to leave the visitors 53 all out in 27 overs.

The previous day Audlem managed to pick up valuable bonus points despite their disappointing defeat as many of their closest rivals had their games affected by the thunder storms passing over the region as The Gorse Croft held it's reputation as The Bermuda Triangle of South Cheshire with a full game of cricket taking place.

Audlem's bowlers had gone about their business and dismissed the visitors for 117 in the 35th over of the innings with the wickets being shared between Kemal, Vijayan, Simon and Jack. With a tantalising small target and an excellent start from Jack Allman (31 ) & Rich Wilson (29) few could have forecast the collapse that followed with only Ron Paul managing to reach double figures and with six batsmen failing to trouble the scorers. Audlem eventually managed to reach 83 all out and fall to a disappointing 34 run defeat but credit must be given to Stone who stuck to their task in defending a small total in far from ideal bowling and fielding conditions and run out worthy winners on the day.

Next Saturday Audlem are away to Caverswall ( 1.00pm start )whilst the Sunday friendly X1 play hosts to Lichfield with a 2.00pm start.