1st XI humbled at Mossley

The 1st XI travelled to tenth-place Mossley hoping to continue their winning ways, but the home side produced a display non-representative of their position in the table to see-off Audlem in convincing style, winning by 129 runs.

Skipper Chris Shenton won the toss and elected to bowl on a wicket that, in the event, played truer than it looked.  Despite some luck, the home side got off to a flying start with Peter Stirk and Kevin Cameron scoring 47 and 23 respectively. 

Missed catching opportunities were to plague Audlem all afternoon and it wasn’t until the introduction of some spin that things looked like they were going to change; Lyndon Woodcock and new man Tahir Hussein picking up three wickets between them. 

However, Mossley weren't finished and Thomas Trevors and Andy Slynn drove the final nail in the coffin by contributing 85 not out and 53 respectively, before Slynn was caught by debutant Tim Robertson at mid on.  This prompted the home skipper to declare with the score at 240 for 5.

Audlem’s unlikely run chase started badly with Qhama Matthews falling for a duck and Andy Rothwell only able to score 4.  Next men in, Kemal Toraman (7) and Paddy Leese,(2), could also only manage single figures, both caught out. 

The gritty Tom Kural and Shenton staged a resurgence, putting 24 and 33 respectively, before falling to Tony Brown and all-rounder Cameron.  

With the last of the recognised batsmen out, only a draw could save Audlem from defeat.   Andrew Jinks played a creditable innings before finally falling bowled to Rob Mellor for 15, and Robertson had a less successful afternoon with the bat falling lbw for a duck. 

After Stuart Elkes also had his stumps dislodged by Mellor for 8, it was up to Hussein and Woodcock to see the overs out.  The pair did all they could, but couldn’t hold on as Hussein lofted a delivery from Mellor to Slynn at extra cover for 5, leaving Audlem 111 all out.

Mossley gained 25 points and Audlem 4.  As a result, the 1st XI slip one place to fifth and their slim promotion hope has totally evaporated. 

On Saturday, fourth-place Knutsford visit the Gorse Croft for a 1.00 pm start.

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