2nd XI scrape past Holmes Chapel to go top

Audlem 2nd XI made the short trip to Holmes Chapel looking to continue their winning start to the season in Division 5. They came away with maximum points in a low-scoring, nail-biting thriller as 18 wickets fell for just 92 runs.

Skipper for the day Toby Banfield lost the toss and Holmes Chapel decided to bat. Audlem's opening bowlers Ron Lawson and Graham Jones produced superb, decisive opening spells during which they applied a pressure from which Chapel never recovered. After 14 overs the hosts were 19 for 2, Jones having taken both wickets. First-change bowler Neil Humphries got in on the act, taking the third wicket to reduce Chapel to 22 for 3. Five overs later Jones had bagged two more wickets to leave the scoreboard showing 26 for 5.

Veteran spinner Roy Wild joined in the fun and he and Humphries demolished Chapel's remaining batsmen as they were all out for just 44 in the 35th over. Jones finished with 4 for 12, Humphries 3 for 5 and Wild 3 for 6.

In their reply Audlem reached 11 before skipper Banfield was out. Andy Rothwell followed him back to the pavilion with the score on 17 and he was followed by Paul Thorburn four runs later. The score rose to 29 before disaster struck as Chapel claimed three more wickets, with Zar Ahmed, Danny Thorburn and John Chadwick all trudging back to the pavilion. At 29 for 6 it was game on.

Leo North and Graham Jones edged Audlem towards the target, but when North and Jones were dismissed it was 39 for 8 and Chapel were sensing an unlikely victory. However, opening bowlers Humphries and Lawson, rose to the occasion. Humphries with a single and two fours took Audlem past the target to win by two wickets.

Audlem gained 25 points and Holmes Chapel 4. The win puts the 2nd XI top of the division, despite having played a game fewer than their nearest rivals, having not had a game the previous week.

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