Wild celebrations as 2nd XI win first match

The 2nd XI registered their first win of the season in Division 4 with a 97-run victory over visitors Appleton in cold, damp conditions at the Gorse Croft.

Skipper for the day, Zar Ahmed won the toss and decided to bat. Two early wickets before the score had reached 25 made the decision appear flawed. The wicket was uneven and the Appleton opening seamers were getting some swing and bounce.

At 24-2, a rescue job was required. Ahmed and Dave Parry provided it with an excellent third-wicket stand of 101. Scoring was proving difficult and patience and application was the order of the day. Parry grew in confidence and unleashed some superb strokes and he was ably supported by Ahmed who scored 34 before being bowled. Parry and Toby Banfield took the score to 150 before Parry was out for an excellent 53. Banfield was trapped lbw one run later, but cameo performances by Leo North (19), Paul Thorburn (15) and Garry Rudd (21) that not only upped the scoring rate but also helped the home side reach an imposing total of 200-8 on a difficult wicket.

Appleton's reply soon became a forlorn hope as veteran spinner Roy Wild bowled unchanged from one end and wreaked havoc. In a magnificent spell of bowling, he took a sensational 9-50 off 17 overs. Two of his victims were stumped by North and five were clean bowled – a testimony to his control and line. Of the other victims, a highlight was a sharp catch at slip by Danny Thorburn. Credit should also be given to the bowlers at the other end who kept a tight line and never gave the visiting batsmen a chance to settle. At the other end, Rudd, Parry and Jake Rowe bowled excellent spells which were not reflected in their bowling figures. Rowe, in particular, caught the eye as he bowled five accurate, lively overs of medium pace for just 11 runs. The outcome of Audlem's fielding effort was that Appleton were bundled out for 103.

Audlem gained 25 points to move off the bottom of the division and go seventh, just above Appleton who gained 6.

On Saturday the 2nd XI make the long journey to Warrington to play fifth-place Rylands.

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