2nd XI's thrilling tie earns promotion

As reported earlier, on Saturday the 2nd XI entertained Norbury at the Gorse Croft, needing seven points to gain promotion. Having won all of their previous games played, it was odds on that the feat would be achieved. It turned out to be a fascinating game of cricket that went right down to the last ball of the last over and ended in a tie. The ten points gained ensured promotion with three matches still remaining.

It was a cool, cloudy, damp day and the wicket was extremely damp, spongy and slow. There was the constant threat of heavy rain casting a shadow over the day's proceedings, so when skipper John Wainwright won the toss he had no hesitation in bowling first.

The spin attack of Roy Wild and Dave Parry opened proceedings as usual for Audlem. Norbury found runs very hard to come by and struggled to 85 for 8. However the last two wickets added a further 30 valuable runs as the visitors' score progressed to 115 for 9 off their 48 overs. The chief contributors were Leo Faulkner with 20 and Carl Doodson 18 no. For Audlem, Dave Parry took 4 for 35 off 17 overs. Roy Wild bowled unchanged throughout the innings taking 3 for 47. The other wicket taker for Audlem was Alistair Herbert-Jackson with 1 for 25.

Zar Ahmed and Paddy Leese began the chase for Audlem. Ahmed was the first to go for 7 with the score on 13. Leese and Danny Thorburn then added 68 for the second wicket before Thorburn departed for 20. After that, wickets started to fall on a regular basis for Audlem – but things seemed to be in control thanks to the innings of man-of-the-match Leese who made a superb 56 before he was adjudged lbw off Jack Faulkner.

The score advanced to 108 for 7. Eight runs needed with three wickets remaining. Surely, it was going to be an easy win for the home team!

Norbury had other ideas. Wainwright was run out for 0. That brought Herbert-Jackson to the crease. Unfortunately, only a couple of runs later, he too was run out – 110 for 9. Roy Wild then joined Steve Ellsmore in the middle. Unbearable tension for both teams as Ellsmore and Wild slowly advanced the score to 115. Just one run needed with one ball of the innings remaining. The admirable Leo Faulkner bowled the final delivery. Wild failed to connect properly – but they had to go for the run. Ellsmore failed to make his ground and was run out for 7. It was a tie!

An amazing match which was a credit to both teams and a fair result. For Norbury, Leo Faulkner took 3 for 32 and his brother Jack took 2 for 41.

Audlem gained 10 points and Norbury 12. This means that the 2nd XI need a further 11 points to become champions. The only team that can catch them are Styal, who need to gain maximum points in their three remaining matches. Neither team plays on Saturday, so the title won't be decided until at least September 4th, when the 2nd XI play at home to Sandbach. The match starts at 1.00 pm.

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