Roy goes wild as 2nd XI demolish Chapel

The 2nd XI entertained second-placed Holmes Chapel at the Gorse Croft in a Division 5 promotion battle, looking to extend their winning run. Thanks to bowlers Roy Wild and Dave Parry they dismissed Chapel cheaply and cruised to a seven-wicket victory to extend their lead to over 70 points.

Skipper Zar Ahmed lost the toss, but the visitors surprisingly decided to bat on a wet but firm wicket that appeared to benefit the bowlers. Chapel's skipper soon regretted his decision as wickets started to tumble. Only Nick Budd, with 22 hard-fought runs, was able to stem the tide as the visitors' hopes of a win soon evaporated.

Veteran spinner Wild was the man of the match, demolishing the batting with 7 for 37. He was ably supported by Parry, who took 3 for 7 off 5.4 overs and medium-pacer Graham Jones, who, despite not taking a wicket, conceded just 18 runs off 8 overs. Wicketkeeper Toby Banfield claimed four victims, with a catch and three stumpings as Chapel were bundled out for a meagre 62 off only 26.4 overs.

Audlem began their chase badly, losing Banfield off the second ball of the innings. Danny Thorburn and Ahmed then consolidated the innings and added 22 before Ahmed was dismissed for 8. Norman Hindle was then adjudged LBW for 2 and Audlem were rocking on 36-3. Thankfully, Parry and Thorburn then knuckled down and knocked off the remaining runs without any further mishap.

Thorburn, who played another excellent innings which highlighted his growing maturity with the bat, remained 18 not out and Parry was 15 not out as Audlem reached 65 for 3 to register their eleventh victory out of twelve games, the other one being cancelled because of a waterlogged pitch.

Audlem gained 25 points and Holmes Chapel just 2.

On Saturday the 2nd XI travel to Kerridge hoping to carry on their winning streak. With six games remaining they need just three victories to clinch the title.

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