1st XI lose their unbeaten record but stay top

Audlem 1st XI suffered defeat for the first time this season in their Cheshire Cricket Alliance Division 3 campaign as they lost at Appleton by 59 runs in a low-scoring game.

Skipper Chris Shenton won the toss and inserted the home team on a damp wicket. This decision paid immediate dividends as Rich Brown took the first wicket with just three runs on the board. Appleton's batsmen made slow progress against Brown and fellow opening bowler Stuart Elkes. Once in-form spinner Lyndon Woodcock was introduced to the attack, he had immediate success, snapping up a wicket to make Appleton 24 for 2. Both Brown and Woodcock took a wicket with the score on 50 but the home team's middle order provided stout resistance as they reached 93 for 5. At this point Audlem took control of the game as Brown and Woodcock continued to share the wickets. The last five wickets fell for just 22 runs as Appleton were all out for 115, with Andy Peters top scoring with 35, whilst Woodcock took 6 for 52 and Brown 4 for 41.

All season Audlem's strength has been batting, but this time the team never recovered from a poor start and wickets fell at regular intervals. Brown was the only batsman to reach double figures as the hoped-for victory didn't materialise. Audlem were all out for just 56, with 17 overs remaining. Appleton gained 25 points and Audlem 5.

Despite the defeat Audlem remain top of Division 3 with just three games to go. They lead Mossley by 18 points and Kerridge by 25 points in what is a three-horse race for the two promotion places.

On Saturday the 1st XI hope to get back to winning ways with a home game against Knutsford. After a week's break the 2nd XI resume their Division 5 campaign with a trip to Stockport to face Heaton Mersey Village. Both games start at 2pm.

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