Wayfarers frustrate 2nd XI in close finish

After last week's fine victory against Rylands, the 2nd XI made the journey to fellow mid-table Wilmslow Wayfarers with high hopes of a good points haul to keep breathing space from the ensuing relegation battle in a very competitive Division 4.  In the end they had to settle for a draw, with Wayfarers’ last pair frustrating Audlem playing out the final over.

The game started in the now traditional mode with skipper John Wainwright losing the toss. This week the home captain decided to give Audlem the dubious privilege of having first knock on a very green wicket which looked bowler friendly.  Audlem found run scoring difficult and soon lost openers Leo North and Zar Ahmed. All-rounder Dave Parry was moved up the order to draw the sting of the attack and enable the more expansive middle order batsmen to face the change bowlers. At the half way point of the innings (24 overs), orders were sent out to 'up the tempo' somewhat, as the scoring rate had become becalmed with the total on 46 for 2.

The middle and late-order batsmen responded magnificently to the challenge to set a competitive total, with fine contributions coming from Toby Banfield (34), Paul Thorburn (21) and, most of all, young Phil Backes who held the innings together with a fine knock and finished on 30 not out. The acceleration in the scoring rate meant Audlem were able to put a creditable 163 for 8 on the board at the tea interval.

Skipper Wainwright reasoned the team’s best hope of victory was to frustrate Wayfarers’ batsmen with accurate bowling, thereby making run scoring difficult on a wicket with very little pace or bounce. Roy Wild and Parry were given the task and bowled a nagging line and length that restricted the flow of runs.  With time running out and no respite from the bowling, the home team decided to take the initiative, which is what Audlem had been waiting for.  Wickets began to tumble as batsmen took the risks necessary to give their team a chance of victory.  Parry and keeper North formed a fine double act, having two batsmen stumped and North running out two more in the frenetic run chase.

With the game entering its final over any result was possible, with Audlem needing just one wicket and Wayfarers requiring 16 runs for victory.  At this stage the home captain gave orders to settle for a draw and just play out the last over to prevent Audlem gaining maximum points from the contest.  It was a fine game played in good spirit with Audlem firmly in charge of proceedings.  Parry bowled unchanged from one end and finished with fine figures of 6 for 67.  A special mention must go to North who, in addition to keeping wicket superbly, was instrumental in four of the wickets.

Audlem gained 13 points and Wayfarers 7.  As a result, the 2nd XI remain in seventh place, but are drawing clear of the relegation places.

On Saturday the 2nd XI go on their travels again, to play bottom team Appleton 4th XI, hoping to avenge the inglorious defeat inflicted by their 3rd XI three weeks ago.

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