So near for Audlem 2nd XI

Audlem's 2nd XI skipper Toby Banfield won the toss and elected to bat against Frodsham on another fine summer's day. Opening the batting with john Wainwright, the pair got Audlem off to another fine start passing 50 for the 5th time this season.

Seemingly untroubled the pairing reached 76 in 14 overs until Wainwright held out to long on for 30 to J London. In London's next over he also removed Banfield for 37 with one that kept a bit lower and crept under his bat. The following over saw the dismissal of Audlem's number 3, Paddy Madden for 1. With a mini collapse leaving Audlem at 83 for 3, Zar Ahmed and Leo North had some rebuilding to do.

With good running between the wickets punctuated by some nicely timed boundaries, the two started a partnership that consolidated Audlem's position until Zar was out caught for 19. Audlem had rebuilt their position at this point and were 122 for 4 when Phil Backes came to the crease and upped the anti. With some beautiful stroke play in partnership with North they advanced Audlem to 176 of 40 overs. With Backes gone, North completed his 50 whilst trying to hit quick runs, Paul Thorburn (2) skied one and Ollie Banfield ran himself out in the 44th and Audlem's last over. They declared on 204 for 7.

In response Frodsham got off to the worst possible start. Roy Wild opened the bowling and took 2 wickets in the first over. At the other end Toby Banfield also opened and was less successful going for 8 with opener Haynes hitting some big shots right from the outset.

Together with J Jones they put on 64 before Haynes tried to go big once too often and was caught for 33 at deep mid wicket. Two more wickets fell quickly leaving Frodsham on 87 for 5. Jones continued to amass his runs now with a partner at the other end who was holding his own. Jones and R Kent added 62 taking Frodsham to 149 keeping well up with the rate when Kent lost his stumps to a quicker delivery from John Chadwick.

The following 3 overs all saw a wicket fall leaving Frodsham on 158 for 9 with just numbers 10and 11 at the crease. Playing for the draw and not chasing the batting point, Audlem found it impossible to remove the last man and Frodsham ended on 166 for 9 off their 46 overs. For the third game in succession Audlem fell just 1 ball short of victory.

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