Gorse Croft sees over 400 runs as 1st XI draw

On a cold, windy day Audlem 1st XI played host to Trinity, one of the favourites for promotion from Division 2 of the Cheshire Cricket Alliance. For the third game in a row skipper Chris Shenton lost the toss, but surprisingly Audlem were put in to bat on a good wicket. The visitors' decision was soon vindicated however, when Andy Capper was caught at gully off a vicious bouncer with only the 5th ball of the match. Jim Littlewood joined Shenton and they comfortably proceeded to take the score to 80, when Littlewood was caught at mid-off for a well-played 38. Tom Measures then fell cheaply but youngster Rich Wilson came to the crease and timed the ball beautifully from the off. It wasn't until the 37th over that Shenton, who had batted through the innings, eventually fell for a gritty 58, run out when looking to regain the strike. Audlem continued to pile on the runs with Graeme Jones (25) and Wilson (45 not out) taking them to the final over before youngster Dean Stockford claimed a hat-trick with Audlem looking for a final flurry of runs. The innings closed with Audlem 219 for 8 after the maximum 48 overs.

In their reply Trinity looked to attack from the off with both openers playing some aggressive shots. It was youngster Simon Swift who made the breakthrough, with a fierce bouncer claiming the edge and the ball flying to slip. When skipper Dave Twinnings soon followed, caught well by Phil Backes off the bowling of Jim Littlewood, Audlem sensed victory. Littlewood soon found the edge again but keeper Paddy Leese couldn't hold on. This was to prove a costly miss as Trinity decided to play for the draw and batted through the next 20 overs untroubled, but with the ball rarely leaving the square. It was only when Backes was introduced that Audlem got the breakthrough and when Swift took another quick wicket Audlem again sensed victory. A couple of contentious umpiring decisions, more dropped catches and a late flurry of runs from Andy Harries meant that Trinity saw the game through to the end on 191 for 5. Swift bowled with real fire to finish with 3 wickets and Ollie Burney bowled great line and length with no luck, his 7 overs only conceding 11 runs. Audlem gained 13 points and Trinity 9.

Next week the 1st XI travel to Styal.

This article is from our news archive. As a result pictures or videos originally associated with it may have been removed and some of the content may no longer be accurate or relevant.