Humphries stars as 2nd XI win at Sandbach

The 2nd XI travelled to Sandbach on Saturday in a vital promotion clash with both teams flying high in the top three in Division 5. Audlem took the spoils, winning by 4 wickets to extend their unbeaten run and reclaim top spot.

Once again skipper John Wainwright lost the toss and Sandbach had no hesitation in deciding to bat first. Spinners Roy Wild and Dave Parry started both kept a nagging line and length on a slow, dusty wicket that was difficult to bat on. Wild ended up with a creditable 2-26 off his 16 overs. Parry remained wicketless off his 7 overs but did not allow the Sandbach batters any freedom.

The main destroyers for Audlem, however, were the joint combination of Neil Humphries and keeper Leo North. Humphries produced a magnificent spell of bowling in taking 8 for 31 off 13.5 overs. However, he was very much indebted to North's superb work behind the stumps. The Audlem keeper took an astonishing 5 stumpings as Sandbach were all out for 115.

In reply Audlem's openers struggled to score runs and Toby Banfield and Andy Rowell departed early leaving Audlem on 24-2. Man-of-the-match Humphries then played a belligerent innings of 25 to repair the situation before giving his wicket away. Wainwright was then dismissed for a duck and was followed by Ahmed with the score on 66 for 5.

Thankfully North played a sensible anchor role of 9 not out – crucial in the context of the game. He built 2 key partnerships with Parry and Paul Thorburn (both partnerships of 25). Thorburn especially deserved credit for his superb little cameo of 18, which decided the match emphatically in Audlem's favour.

Audlem gained 25 points and Sandbach 7. On Saturday the 2nd XI play host to Capenhurst at the Gorse Croft. The game begins at 2.00 pm.

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