Wild does it again as 2nd XI beat leaders

In their Cheshire Cricket League Division 5 fixture last Saturday, Audlem 2nd XI played host to runaway leaders Mossley, who came into the match full of confidence. But they reckoned without Audlem's veteran spinner Roy Wild who, following his eight-wicket haul last week, took seven more to demolish their hopes.

The visitors won the toss and, going for maximum points, decided to bat. They lost their first wicket with the score on 13, when Raj had Jens Niedzwiedzki caught by skipper Toby Banfield. Mossley then gained the upper hand and took the score up to 48, when the other opener Keith Richardson was bowled by Raj for 33. Four runs later, Wild took two wickets to swing the initiative back to Audlem. Mossley's batsmen dug in until Wild had Chris Lowe caught by Banfield for 17 to make it 73 for 5. Leo North's quick reaction from Wild's bowling reduced Mossley to 75 for 6 and when, 15 runs later, the he repeated the feat the visitors were in serious trouble. With just one more run on the board, Raj bowled Mossley skipper Charlie Hocknell for 19 and Wild took his sixth wicket. A last wicket stand of 16 took the score to 109 before Wild finished off the visitors' innings in the 36th over. He and Raj bowled throughout the innings, Wild finishing with 7 for 30 and Raj 3 for 75.

In their reply Audlem's opening pair Banfield and John Wainwright put on 49 for the first wicket before Banfield was caught for 21. Wainwright and North added a further 25 runs before North was out for 16. By this time the home team were in complete command of the game. When Zar Ahmed was out the scoreboard showed 91 for 3. With just three runs required for victory Wainwright was out for 38. One ball later the game was over when Paul Thorburn hit a boundary. Phil Backes was not out 15. Lowe was Mossley's most successful bowler with 2 for 26.

Audlem gained 25 points and Mossley 6. The win moves Audlem up to fourth place.

Next week the 2nd XI travel to bottom club Capenhurst, hoping to make it three wins in a row in a bid to reduce the gap to the two leaders, Mossley and Langley.

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