Mixed fortunes for Audlem Cricket Club

Saturday – away v Porthill Park

Another regulation victory was accomplished on Saturday against Porthill Park played at Scot Hay Cricket Club. On inspection of the wicket prior to the start of proceedings skipper Chris Shenton had little hesitation in asking the hosts to bat on a very poor looking strip to ascertain if it played as bad as it looked.

Porthill struggled against Audlem's array of bowlers and even though the wicket played it's part in the dismissal of some of the batsmen the visitors had far too much firepower for the host's line-up and had no problem dismissing them for 42 in 28.4 overs with Neil Humphries the stand-out bowler with 3 wickets for 3 runs in his 6 overs and 2 wicket hauls from Atiq Hashmi and Callum McIlveen.

Audlem had the game wrapped up in less than twelve overs for the loss of just one wicket with Kemal Toraman (18) and Atiq Hashmi (19 n o ) inflicting most of the damage.

Sunday – away v Trent Valley

The Sunday X1 met much sterner opposition on their trip to Trent Valley CC (Armitage) with delightful views from the ground over nearby Cannock Chase.

Audlem eventually lost a tightly fought game against much more experienced opposition by 4 wickets with all 4 of the junior members of the team adding valuable contributions throughout proceedings.

14 Year old Michael Burton top scored with 27 in the visitor's total or 119 for 8 off the 40 overs showing maturity beyond his years to deal with some fine bowling on a tricky surface. Some lusty blows from Phil Cottrell enabled Audlem to set a competitive total but with regular skipper and opening bowler Simon Swift not available the burden of containing the host's array of attacking batsmen would fall on the shoulders of the visitor's junior bowling talent,

Great credit must go to 15 year old James Cottrell who opened the bowling & Ben Duncalf and James's brother David who are both only 12 in helping to take the game into the final few overs before Trent Valley managed to claim a hard fought victory by the margin of 4 wickets.

A fine game of cricket in lovely surroundings against good competitive opposition made for an excellent match as the shortened season draws to it's final 3 games.

Next weekend

Both fixtures next weekend are at home with the Saturday League X1 hosting Crewe Vagrants in a local derby and the following day the Sunday team lock horns with Fenns Bank and Iscoyd Park from just over the border in Wales.

John Wainwright

Audlem CC