Poor start for cricketers

Audlem's cricketers got off to a disappointing start in their Cheshire Cricket Alliance matches as both teams lost heavily. The 1st XI lost by 7 wickets and the 2nd XI by 8 wickets.

1st XI

The 1st XI travelled to Birkenhead to face Tranmere Victoria. Skipper Chris Shenton lost the toss and Audlem were put in to bat. Wickets quickly fell as the visitors slumped to 16 for 3. A stand between debutant Dave Morris and Paddy Leese added 39 runs before Morris was out for 16.

Two further quick wickets fell before Leese and the other debutant, Callum MciIlveen, took the score to 75. Both fell at the same score with Leese making 26. The other batsmen soon followed them back to the pavilion as Audlem were all out for 79.

Simon Swift immediately struck back as he had Tranmere's opener out for a duck. However, Gary Francis and Andrew Wood took the home side to 62 before Mcillveen had Francis caught by Shenton for 38.

Mcillveen combined with wicketkeeper Leese to take another wicket, but Tranmere cruised past their target with seven wickets to spare.
Tranmere gained 20 points and Audlem 4.

2nd XI

The 2nd XI entertained Warrington-based Rylands and new skipper Danny Thorburn won the toss. He made a brave decision and opted to bat first. The decision looked to be vindicated as Zar Ahmed and John Wainwright enjoyed a superb partnership of 71 as Audlem seemed to be heading towards a huge total.

Rylands star bowler, Sujith Nair, then struck taking three quick wickets to reduce Audlem to 79 for 3. This included the important wickets of Wainwright for 28 and Ahmed for 24. However, an excellent innings of 37 by Toby Banfield helped Audlem rebuild even though wickets continued to fall at the other end.

Eventually, Audlem needed a gritty innings of 16 from Leo North and a swashbuckling 25 from Lyndon Woodcock to post a respectable 189 all out ensuring maximum batting points. Mark Green took 5 for 53, including a hat-trick, but by far Rylands' key bowler was Sujith – even though his 3-71 did not reflect his influence.

This proved the highlight of the day for Audlem, Hopes were high of a first day victory at tea. However, the visitors had other ideas. They knocked off the 190 runs required in style for the loss of just two wickets.

Audlem were simply not at the races with the ball and it was an emphatic response from Rylands. Andrew Barker made 73 not out and Geoff Shaw 59 not out. On the day, Audlem simply never threatened to take wickets and will need to regroup quickly and devise an alternative strategy. Audlem gained 11 points and Rylands 25.

Next matches

Tomorrow both teams play Port Sunlight, with the 1st XI travelling to the Wirral and the 2nd XI welcoming Port's 2nd XI to the Gorse Croft. The matches start at 1.00 pm.

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