1st XI game off, but 2nd XI wins again

In the weekend's Cheshire Cricket Alliance fixtures, once again a waterlogged pitch caused Audlem 1st XI's Division 3 game, this time against Capenhurst, to be called off, each team gaining 5 points. In Division 5 the ever-improving 2nd XI travelled to second-placed Appleton and came out victorious in a low-scoring game by the margin of 61 runs to record their third straight victory.

Set to play under grey skies and almost constant drizzle, skipper John Wainwright won the toss and elected to bat on a green wicket and a slow, rain-sodden outfield, aware that runs would be in short supply throughout the game.

James Ruscoe led the batting line up and defied the conditions with a hard-hit 27. On his dismissal, however, the score slumped from 43 for 1 in the 9th over to 66 for 9 in the 27th, as Appleton took control of the game. Audlem's last two batsmen, the evergreen pair of Wainwright and Roy Wild, then put up dogged resistance as they tried to set a competitive total. This was duly achieved with a last-wicket partnership of 52 from the final 21 overs of the innings. Top scorer Wainwright (32) was eventually run out as he tried in vain to get a quick single to take the strike with four balls to go. Wild was left on 11 not out.

After the first few overs of their reply, Appleton knew that they had a mountain to climb against Audlem's spin attack. Trying to set a solid foundation, they soon found themselves behind the required run rate. As the wickets began to fall in the pursuit of runs, the middle and lower orders were exposed to the rampant Wild, who had the remarkable figures of 3 for 17 off 16.4 overs, and the rejuvenated John Chadwick (6 for 16). These spin kings quickly wrapped the game up as Appleton collapsed to 57 all out with 9 overs to spare. Audlem took 25 points and Appleton 5.

As a result of the weekend's games, the 1st XI remains in sixth place in Division 3, whilst the 2nd XI moves up two places to eighth in Division 5.

Next Saturday both teams play teams in fourth place in their respective divisions, with the 1st XI travelling to Eastham, with the 2nd XI entertaining Styal. Both matches start at 2 pm.

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