First XI in last wicket nail biter as both teams win

Both Audlem cricket teams were in action yesterday with the 1st XI involved in a nail-biting finish away to mid-table Mossley while the 2nd XI entertained Port Sunlight.

After winning the toss, Audlem 1st XI opted to field and dismissed Mossley for 111 off 36 overs. There was a fine bowling performance from Lyndon Woodcock who finished with 5 wickets for just 26 runs, ably backed by Dave Adlard who took 3 – 26.

The modest target immediately looked tougher when Audlem lost two early wickets but they recovered to put fifty on the board with only the two wickets down, Harry Oliver making 40. There was then a collapse to 60 for 6 before captain Chris Shenton and Paddy Leese took the score to 98 before Leese was run out. Wickets fell again as tension took over and the last pair were together with seven still needed for victory. Four byes helped and Chris Shenton hit the winning runs with a boundary to finish on 11 not out. For Mossley, B. Kinsey took 6 – 62.

Audlem took 20 points and move to 3rd in the Cheshire Cricket Alliance, Division 3, while Mossley gained 4 points.

Audlem 2nd XI's meteoric rise up the table continued apace with their comprehensive victory over Port Sunlight. The home team, to their delight, was asked to bat on a good looking track and were off to a flyer with the belligerent Toby Banfield, who made 43, and steady Norman Hindle adding 82 for the first wicket in only 16 overs. This set the tone for the innings with contributions coming from all the middle order to enable a declaration on 208 – 8 with 45 overs used, giving Port Sunlight an opportunity to chase the total.

Audlem's bowlers soon had other ideas as they made inroads into Port Sunlight's batting lineup with Roy Wild taking 3 – 39 and John Chadwick (2 – 7) doing the early damage. But it was left to all rounder Norman Hindle to win the game with 3 – 7. Port Sunlight were all out for 105 to give Audlem victory by 103 runs and gain a maximum 25 points for the match.

Next weekend, the 1st XI are at home to Kerridge on Saturday while the 2nd XI travel to Trinity on Sunday. Both are the final fixtures of the league season.

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