St Paul's demolished by Woodcock and Wild

Stalybridge St Paul's 2nd XI were the visitors to Gorse Croft on a warm but cloudy early summer's day. They became Audlem 2nd XI's fifth victim in a row, being beaten by four wickets, with spinners Lyndon Woodcock and Roy Wild doing the damage.

Skipper Danny Thorburn won the toss and had no hesitation in inserting the opposition in on a low, slow, wet pitch. The wily duo of Dave Parry and Roy Wild opened the bowling for Audlem and reaped immediate rewards.

Wild took two wickets in his first over courtesy of a magnificent diving catch from Dan Thorburn at long on and a plumb lbw. The visitors were 0 for 2 after two overs and things got worse in Wild's next over, thanks to a typically smart stumping from wicketkeeper Leo North – 7 for 3 after just four overs and Audlem were in complete control.

However, Stalybridge were not going down without a fight. Gary Sandiford joined Joe Robinson at the crease and the pair started to launch a counterattack. The big-hitting Robinson cleared the boundary several times but was still being outscored by Sandiford, who played some lovely shots on his way to 35.

He then tried to clear mid-off with another attacking shot off Parry. However, the safe hands of John Wainwright took the catch to end a hugely threatening partnership, leaving Stalybridge on 73 for 4.

Lyndon Woodcock joined Parry in the bowling attack and took two quick wickets, but unfortunately for Audlem, Robinson was still at the wicket. He had survived a perilously close lbw shout against Wild and was threatening to take the game beyond Audlem's reach. He had reached an aggressive 56 and was set for many more.

Then came the moment that changed the game on its head! Youngster Reggie Farnell was bought on to bowl to replace Parry. The danger man Robinson was on strike. Seeing a slightly built 12 year old come on at a stage when he was seeing the ball like a football meant that his thoughts were on all-out attack.

The first ball from Farnell was on a good length and at a pace that belied the bowler's age and build. Robinson went for an expansive cover drive and mistimed it completely. The jubilant Farnell jumped to his left and took a confident return catch! A crucial breakthrough! Robinson's disgust was apparent as he walked to the pavilion smashing his bat against his pad in anger.

Suddenly, Audlem were back in it. Woodcock bowled a superb spell of spin and demolished the tail, bowling out Stalybridge for 110 and ending with figures of 4 for 9. He troubled every batsman and looked to be back to his best.

Wild took 4 for 36 and Farnell a highly creditable 2 for 4. Parry bowled his usual accurate spell to end up with 1 for 59. It was an excellent all round bowling display once more from Audlem with all the bowlers contributing admirably.

Chasing 107 off 48 overs, Audlem added 25 for the first wicket before Zar Ahmed was dismissed. However, Wainwright at the other end was playing a magnificent innings. He played some delightful shots off the impressive Mudassar Bashir.

The highlights were a superb straight drive over the bowler's head and a couple of delightful glances through gully. He was not afraid to hook either and dispatched Bashir's attempts to bounce him with disdainful hooked boundaries.

However, Bashir was causing problems and Dave Morris was out with the score at 33. Wainwright carried on the fight before being dismissed for an excellent 33 out of the 43 runs on the scoreboard.

Skipper Danny Thorburn became Bashir's third victim soon afterwards. Paul Thorburn and Parry then steadied the ship. Whilst Thorburn took over the role of aggressor, Parry played the anchor role. Thorburn was caught trying to force Bashir but contributed a highly valuable innings of 23 to the cause as the pair added 40 for the fifth wicket.

When Parry (11) followed him six runs later, Stalybridge sensed a chance as 18 runs were still required with just 4 wickets left. However, North then played the steady innings that was needed at this stage, whilst Rob Chadwick played a couple of lusty shots to ensure victory with four overs remaining. Bashir ended with 5 for 37 and was clearly Stalybridge's best bowler.

Audlem gained 20 points to remain fourth in Division 4 and Stalybridge 7. On Saturday the 2nd XI travel to Chester to play sixth-place Westminster Park.

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