Cricket Update

Audlem v Checkley

Audlem stretched their winning run in the league to 5 with home victory over Checkley in a high scoring game.

Audlem won the toss on a hot day at Gorse Croft and with an excellent batting strip prepared by groundsman John Wainwright, chose to make first use of it by electing to bat first.

Audlem got off to a good start, racing to 29-0 off just over 4 overs. However, Shenton's quickfire innings of 16, which included 2 4s and a 6 was brought to a premature end by the opposition skipper Taiyub Rehman.

The pattern of quick run scoring followed by wickets at regular intervals meant that although Audlem's top 5 had all made it to double figures, they found themselves on 126-6 off just 21 overs when John Wainwright came out to bat. Wainwright (26)and Parkinson (67) put on a crucial 81 run partnership in 15 overs to move Audlem beyond 200.

A score that many thought would need to be achieved to win the game. The pair batted beautifully and although both fell in the final few overs, their scores had helped Audlem to reach a more than respectable 228-9 off their 40 overs.

After the tea interval, Checkley set about chasing down their target. Audlem's opening bowlers Swift and Mcilveen were tasked with trying to prevent Checkley getting off to the good start that Onneley had managed last week. Swift made the first breakthrough, bowling Checkley wicket-keeper Cottier for just 3. Ron Paul and James Cottrell replaced bowlers Swift and Mcilveen after 8 overs with Checkley on 33-1. The first chance bowlers took 4 wickets between them to leave Checkley reeling on 55-5.

However, credit to Checkley they did not give up. The lower middle order showed what could be achieved with patience and hard-work. Bennett and captain Rehman, fresh from his 4 wickets earlier, batted well to put on 97 for the 6th wicket. Bennett finally fell to the returning Swift bowling his second spell of the game thanks to a simple catch by Andy Rothwell.

With the over rate now climbing, Checkley skipper Rehman began to bat more aggressively. However, this ultimately contributed to his downfall when he was run out by Swift attempting a quick two. Keeper Chris Shenton whipped the bails off and Rehman was run out by some distance.

Checkley finished their 40 overs on 189-7, meaning Audlem won the game by 39 runs.The standout performers for Audlem were Dave Parkinson with the bat scoring a cruical 67 and James Cottrell with the ball taking 3 important wickets.

Audlem travel to Sandbach on Saturday 4th September at the slightly earlier start time of 12:30.