2nd XI win again to go third

The 2nd XI clinched their third consecutive victory with a 107-run win at Capenhurst on Saturday as their promotion campaign from Division 5 of the Cheshire Cricket Alliance gathered momentum.

It was a cloudy, miserable day on the Wirral and the home side won the toss and had no hesitation in putting the visitors in to bat on a grassy and uneven wicket. Audlem's opening pair, skipper Toby Banfield and John Wainwright started cautiously and took the score to 19 before Banfield was out. That brought James Siddorns to the crease and he and Wainwright formed a crucial second-wicket partnership of 93. The track was proving difficult to bat on and the batsmen needed a mixture of guile, patience and brute force to score runs. Wainwright provided the guile and the patience in playing the anchor role – although this didn't prevent him from striking one huge six in his well-crafted 35. Siddorns provided the brute force and guile when required. He provided much needed impetus to the scoring rate as he plundered his way to an excellent 74.

As is often the case after a long partnership, the other partner didn't survive long as Siddorns was out nine runs later. Leo North and Zar Ahmed (18 not out) then added 43 for the fourth wicket as the run rate slowed down. After North departed for a well-made 25, Paddy Madden (7 not out) smote a boundary that took Audlem past 175 at which point Banfield declared the innings with Audlem on 180 for 4 after 41 overs.

Capenhurst's target of 181 became academic as Siddorns took two early wickets with the score still in single figures. Paul Ratcliffe supported Siddorns by bowling a long, testing spell from the other end. Banfield brought on Raj and Roy Wild after the two opening bowlers had removed the first three batsmen. Both of the Audlem spinners took crucial middle-order wickets as Audlem gradually chipped away at the Capenhurst batting line-up. At this point, a change in the pace and the mood of the game started to develop. Capenhurst were starting to resist defiantly in their quest for a draw. At the same time, dark, ominous clouds were hanging overhead. The situation was never desperate, but the overs were slowly dwindling away and frustration was creeping in to Audlem's players. There was a strong possibility that the weather would intervene and the light would certainly have been offered in a Test Match! Capenhurst were hanging on grimly, however a fortunate run-out bought another wicket to leave the home side at 60 for 8 with 12 overs remaining.

Siddorns was brought back to try and get the break through, whilst at the other end, youngster Danny Thorburn was introduced to the bowling attack. It was Thorburn who delivered the coup-de-grace and took the final two wickets with two magnificent deliveries as Capenhurst succumbed with the scoreboard showing 73. Wild was the top wicket taker again, finishing with 3 for18. He was well supported by Thorburn 2 for 7, Ratcliffe 2 for 26 and Raj 1 for 9. Siddorns took 2 for 17 to round off the man-of-the-match performance.

Audlem gained 25 points and Capenhurst 2. The win moved the 2nd XI into third place and with the top two teams, Langley and Mossley, having their games rained off, they are now within 25 points of the lead.

On Saturday the 2nd XI are at home to Trinity, hoping to keep the momentum going. The game starts at 2pm.

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