Cricketers finish the season with a win

Audlem's 1st XI finished a disappointing and frustrating season off in style with a win over visitors Langley by two wickets in a high-scoring game played in a good-natured manner in the final Cheshire Cricket Alliance Division 2 fixture.

On winning the toss Steve Swallow asked Langley to bat. Stuart Elkes produced his most consistent bowling spell of the season (1 for 46 in 15 overs) as he beat the bat numerous times. Despite this Langley got off to a cracking start, reaching 156 for 2 off only 30 overs before Rick Hollinshead (63) was caught on the boundary in Geoff Seddon's first over. Seddon (3 for 16) and Dave Parry (2 for 22) collected four more wickets between them before Langley made a generous declaration at 193 for 7 after only 38 overs.

Audlem, having 52 overs to reach the target, attacked from the start and openers Andy Capper and Chris Shenton scored 40 in only nine overs before Shenton was out for 16. Capper and skipper Swallow (37) took the score to 101 before Capper was bowled just one short of his half century. Wickets then fell regularly as Audlem reached 160 for 7 with Ged Duffy taking 5 for 35, including the unlucky John Wainwright. He was out hit-wicket when the ball dislodged his cap, which then fell on to the stumps, as he was attempting to hook a bouncer.

Tom Measures then took control of the match hitting two sixes and four fours as he and Seddon added 33 runs to level the scores with four overs remaining before Seddon, playing his final game after 30 years at the club, was caught as he went for the winning run. In the following over Measures, who finished on 33 not out fittingly steered Audlem to their second win of the season.

The win, for which Audlem gained 20 points to Langley's 14, took Audlem off the bottom of the table although they are still relegated and will play in Division 3 next season.

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