Cricket Report

Cricket Report

The league season got under way with the Audlem lads making their way to Knypersley on Saturday. The visitors took a good following to watch them debut in division 4 of the North Staffs and South Cheshire League and they were not to be disappointed by team's performance as they retuned home with maximum points after an entertaining 35 run victory. Skipper Chris Shenton won the toss and had no hesitation on taking first knock in perfect batting conditions. Dave Blatherwick (17) & Jack Allman (16) got the team off to a good start adding 34 for the first wicket. The next partnership formed the spine of the innings between Bertie Hardy (19) & Irfan Shaik (47) whose fine efforts in a 66-run stand took the total over the hundred mark. It was then left to Dave Parkinson (42 not out) & Tom Measures (32 not out) to get the score to a competitive total which they did with aplomb compiling a 76 run partnership to close the innings on 186 for 4.

Knypersley soon found themselves struggling against Audlem's vaunted bowling attack with last season's top wicket taker and chief tormenter Abhijith Jayan soon back into his stride dismissing the first three batsmen to finish with fine figures of 3 for 12 off his allocation of 8 overs. With Vijayan Rahul (3 for 15)& Simon Swift (2 for 41) also amongst the wickets the host's task appeared to be out of sight but a fine counterattack from seasoned campaigner Andrew Jones (42) got Knypersley within sight of the total but on his dismissal the innings soon concluded on 151 all out. A special mention to our two new recruits who both played an important in the victory with Jake Topping sharing the new ball with Abijith and taking two stunning catches + Bertie Hardy batting at 4 in the order and sharing a defining partnership with Irfan then coming on to bowl with Knypersley launching a counter attack and helping regain control of the situation with 3 valuable overs conceding only 9 runs and claiming a wicket.

Next Saturday Audlem are back at the Gorse Croft when the entertain Moddershall CC ( 1.00pm start )

The Sunday team managed to find a fixture at the last minute after initially having no scheduled game. Westminster Park came to the rescue and proved good opponents in a closely fought encounter. Skipper Ollie Banfield again lost the toss ( an annoying habit he seems to have picked up this season ) and the visitors elected to bat in good conditions. With the team consisting of players of Indian origins Audlem feared the worst as the batsmen were all obviously keen followers of the IPL. With the ball being dispatched over the boundary and the clatter of wickets at regular intervals, the innings resembled the shorter version of the game . In between all the excitement Andrew Burton managed to claim a hat trick amongst his tally of 4 for 30 as Westminster Park were all out for 178 after only using 28 of their overs.

Audlem replied in the more conventional fashion of 40 over cricket with a more watchful approach against some very tidy bowling . Openers Jake Topping ( 26 ) & Bertie Hardt (15 ) got the team off to a good start and with good contributions from Andy Burton ( 22 ) & Alfie Hardy ( 12 ) the hosts were always in the hunt. A great Partnership between Dave Parkinson ( 41 ) & Conor Howard ( 16 ) not out ) got Audlem to the brink of victory but pulled up 7 runs short closing on 171 for 9 after the 40 overs.

An excellent game of cricket between two contrasting styles of play ended in a tight victory for Westminster Park .

Next week Audlem Sunday X1 welcome old friend's Poppyfields from The West Midlands to The Gorse Croft with a scheduled 1.00pm start.