Cricket Report

Audlem .v. Leycett Saturday 29 June

Audlem lost the opportunity to close the gap on Stafford at the top of the division after suffering a home defeat to mid table Leycett on Saturday.

Audlem took first use of the wicket and were soon in trouble at 20 -- 4. They did recover however as Tom Measure's 72 which contained 10 fours, Dave Parkinson's 24 and 17 from Simon Swift helped them to 143 all out in the 40th over. James Lawton helped himself to 3-26 & there were a couple of wickets apiece from Liam Bedson & Finley Waterhouse.

Ron Paul captured 3-52 on the resumption but Leycett managed to find their way to a 5 wicket success. That was thanks to Darren Snape's unbeaten 55, 29 from Bedson & Dave Speakmans 26.

Next Saturday Audlem start the second half of the league season in second place with a home fixture against Whitmore.

Audlem .v. Burton ( Chester ) Sunday 30 June

Audlem again won the toss and decided to bat first but soon lost a couple of wickets before Michael Burton ( 38 ) and young Tom Jackson ( 18 ) gained some control. Andy Jackson ( 24 ) was next man in and formed a vital 35 run fourth wicket partnership with his son Tom . The ever reliable Dave Parkinson came in at no. 9 and scored an invaluable 52 not out to take the total to a competitive 178 for 8 at tea. On resumption Burton got off to a decent start before Connor Howard and Bertie Hardy removed the opening pair. A fine third wicket partnership between Tom Giles ( 44 ) & Dan Cook ( 52 retired not out ) swung the game in the visitors favour before Bertie removed the dangerous Giles in his last over and Dan Cook had to retire on reaching his half century. The incoming batsmen struggled to score the remaining runs against Steve Neale & Dave Parkinson who bowled the team to victory by a slender margin of 13 runs.

Next Sunday Audlem are again at home. This time against Prestwich with a 1.30pm start time.

John Wainwright

Audlem Cricket Club