1st XI win again, rain stops 2nds

Audlem 1st XI remain unbeaten following their thumping win by 131 runs at Capenhurst on Saturday and maintain their lead at the top of Division 3 of the Cheshire Cricket Alliance. Unfortunately rain put paid to the 2nd XI's Division 5 game against Trinity after 41 overs.

Skipper Chris Shenton won the toss and, in search of maximum points, elected to bat. He and Andy Capper made their intentions clear as they chased the runs from the off. The pair put on 90 for the first wicket before Shenton was out for 57. Capper was joined by Paul Dean and the runs continued to flow as the home team's bowling was smashed to all sided of the ground. Capper was out for 30 with the score on 111. Dean and James Siddorns put on a further 70 runs before Dean had to retire hurt, having scored 52, when he was hit in the ribs by a fierce on-drive by Siddorns. Paddy Leese joined Siddorns and the pattern continued until Audlem reached 228 when Siddorns was caught going for another big hit having scored 51. Shenton declared the innings at the end of the over with Leese 12 not out and Lyndon Woodcock 1 not out. Audlem's score was 229 for 3 in just 34 overs, averaging almost seven runs per over.

In their reply Capenhurst started off steadily against the bowling of Stuart Elkes and Siddorns. However, the picture changed when Woodcock's off spin was introduced to the attack. He had an immediate impact as he took two quick wickets to leave Capenhurst on 31 for 2. After a break of half an hour for rain, play resumed in poor light. In order to speed up the over rate Shenton brought himself on to bowl along with Woodcock. Two more wickets fell to Woodcock before Shenton got in on the act for the first of his two wickets. Woodcock took two further wickets to leave Capenhurst on 69 for 8. Only Neil Tilby had managed to keep the spin twins at bay until, going for a big hit against Woodcock, he got a top edge and skied the ball to fine leg, where the brave Dean, still in considerable pain, managed to hold on to the ball to make the score 82 for 9. Stout defence from the home side's last pair added a further eight runs before the heavens opened once again and it looked as though play would have to be abandoned. However, another break in the clouds appeared and play resumed twenty minutes later. Woodcock snapped up the last wicket as Elkes took a brilliant one-handed catch in the second over after the break. Capenhurst were all out for 92 with Woodcock taking 8 for 19 in 14 overs and Shenton 2 for 35. Audlem gained 25 points and Capenhurst 2.

In the Division 5 game, 2nd XI stand-in skipper Toby Banfield and Zar Abbas got Audlem off to a great start putting on 57 for the first wicket. The home side continued to score well until rain stopped play with the score at 179 for 7 after 41 overs. Top scorers were Banfield (41), Abbas (35) and Norman Hindle (25 not out). Audlem gained 10 points and Trinity 5.

Next week the 1st XI travel to seventh-placed Appleton looking to continue their promotion push. The game starts at 2 pm. The 2nd XI don't have a game. They should have been playing Wirral who resigned from the league earlier during the season.

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