Skipper slams 37-ball ton as 1st XI victorious

After last week’s defeat, the 1st XI were looking to bounce back against visitors Heaton Mersey Village in the match sponsored by Anne Shepherd Resuscitation Training.  Thanks to an outstanding innings by skipper Chris Shenton, who hit a quick-fire century, they won by 87 runs.

Shenton won the toss and elected to bat first in a bid to get maximum points.  This decision was rewarded as openers Andy Capper and Andy Rothwell shared a first-wicket stand of 44.  Rothwell was first out, caught and bowled by Ravi Nagarkar.  Two balls later, Rich Wilson was bowled by the same bowler.  Capper was joined by Paddy Leese and they continued to pile on the runs until Capper was out for 36 with the score on 102.  Leese and new partner Tom Kural kept the scoreboard ticking over and had added 42 runs for the fourth wicket, when Kural was trapped lbw.

This brought Shenton to the wicket and he made his intentions clear from the outset.  He destroyed the visitors’ bowling as he hit 11 fours and 8 sixes, racing to his century in only 37 balls.  Partner Leese also played his part as the pair took the score to 273 before Shenton was out, caught behind, for 102.  Leese was left on 65 not out as Shenton declared the innings with eight overs remaining.

HMV responded in a positive manner as they set about chasing the target.  Openers Nagarkar and Kevin Wood took the score to 56 before Stuart Elkes struck, bowling Nagarkar for 32.  Wood’s new partner Andy Jones joined in the run chase as he and Wood continued to attack the bowling.

The introduction of Kural into the attack changed the complexion of the game as he dismissed both batsmen, each having scored 31.  He then also claimed the wicket of danger man Dave Padbury.  Left-arm spinner Neil Humphries joined in the wicket feast as he and Kural mopped up the rest of HMV’s batsmen.  Only Michael Malpas was able to withstand the domination of the bowlers, finishing on 29 not out as the visitors were all out for 186.  Kural’s figures were 4 for 38 and Humphries’ 3 for 22.

Audlem gained the maximum 25 points and HMV 7.  As all the top teams also won, Audlem remain in fifth place in Division 2, still 60 points away from a promotion slot with only four matches remaining.  On Saturday the 1st XI travel to bottom club Mossley.

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