Cricketers draw both games, as 1st XI stay top

Audlem cricketers' double header against Mossley saw both games end in draws. In yesterday's Division 3 top-of-the-table clash the 1st XI preserved their unbeaten record, whilst the 2nd XI gained valuable points in their bid for promotion from Division 5.

Winning the toss, 1st XI skipper Chris Shenton decided to put Mossley in to bat on a rain-soaked wicket. Stuart Elkes struck a quick blow for Audlem as he took a wicket in his first over without a run on the board. When Rich Brown bowled Andrew Sadler, the home team were in trouble at 17 for 2. However, a stand of 37 between Ryan Walker (21) and Chris Lowe took the score to 54 before Brown bowled Walker. Graham Jones then took a wicket to make the score 55 for 4. Lowe was then joined by Dave Bostock and they swung the game back in the home team's favour with a stand of 60. Lowe, who had scored 61, became the first of Lyndon Woodcock's victims. Two wickets in three balls then fell to spinner Woodcock as Audlem grabbed the initiative again as Mossley slumped to 120 for 7. Bostock had other ideas as he bludgeoned his way to 41 before being bowled by Woodcock with the score at 143. Woodcock and Brown mopped up the tail as Mossley finished on 143 all out in the 48th over. Woodcock finished with 5 for 39 and Brown 3 for 41.

Audlem's reply started badly as Shenton was caught without scoring. Andy Capper and Paddy Leese took the score to 38 before Capper was out for 20. Leese (18) soon followed him back to the pavilion and when Brown was out Audlem were in trouble at 53 for 4. Tom Measures steadied the ship, but when Paul Dean was out eleven runs later, the home team were back on top. However, a stand between Measures and Jones looked to have made the game safe, until Measures was bowled for 23 by Mossley's most successful bowler, Rob Mellor. When Woodcock became Mellor's third victim Audlem were back in trouble at 91 for 7. Jones (18 not out) and John Latham saw the game out and secured an extra batting point with Audlem finishing on 100 for 7. Audlem took 7 points and Mossley 10 to remain in first and second places.

Put in to bat on a hastily-prepared second-choice wicket after an early-morning downpour had made the original strip unplayable, the 2nd XI soon found themselves in trouble with both openers back in the pavilion with only 9 runs on the board. Audlem's batsmen soon worked out the technique required on a slow and low track and started to accumulate runs, particularly the productive partnership between Tim Ruscoe (44) and Tony Mills (23), which added 41 valuable runs to the cause. Audlem declared the innings after 47 overs with the score on 191 for 9. There were notable contributions from Olly Banfield (21) and skipper John Wainwright (26).

Mossley, with 43 overs to get the required runs, were unable to force the pace against the accurate attack and a stalemate evolved. The early breakthrough that Audlem needed didn't come as the bowlers struggled to get some life out of the slow wicket. Once the early batsmen were removed wickets started to tumble, but time ran out before the evergreen spin attack of John Chadwick (4 for 37) and Roy Wild (3 for 45) could mop up the tail. The visitors eventually closed on 130 for 8. Audlem gained 14 points and Mossley 7. Audlem remain in fourth place, but move closer to the leaders, both of whose games were beaten by the weather.

On Saturday the 1st XI play host to second-from-bottom Offerton, whilst the 2nd XI travel to fifth-placed Appleton. Both games start at 2pm.

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