Wild masterclass keeps 2nd XI top

After last week's cancelled game, the 2nd XI got back into the winning groove with a comprehensive victory at Norbury. After skittling the home side out for 99, a measured batting performance saw Audlem win by 9 wickets. They have now won all five games that they have been able to play and have consolidated their position at the top Division 5 of the Cheshire Cricket Alliance.

For the fifth game running, skipper John Wainwright lost the toss. Norbury had no hesitation in batting first on a wicket that suggested a high-scoring game. The home batsmen looked comfortable against the medium-pace bowling of Ron Lawson and the spin of Dave Parry, but things changed when veteran spinner Roy Wild was introduced to the attack to replace Lawson. In his first over he claimed two wickets, one caught by keeper Leo North, the other by John Chadwick.

Audlem's bowlers were starting to gain control and Wild took his and Audlem's third wicket when Parry, fielding at mid-wicket, firstly parried the ball and then caught it at the third attempt. Following a mini revival Wild struck again, winning an lbw appeal.

Skipper Wainwright brought his other veteran spinner Chadwick on in place of Parry. Again the change had an immediate effect as Chadwick hit the stumps to leave the home team five wickets down. When Wild removed opening batsman Will Faulkner for a gritty 22, Norbury were in trouble. Chadwick struck again when Danny Thorburn snapped up a chance at mid-on, but it was Wild who stole the limelight, taking the last two wickets, one caught and bowled and the other by the safe hands of Thorburn.

Norbury were all out for 99, with man-of-the-match Wild taking 7 for 25 and Chadwick 3 for 31, leaving Audlem 53 overs to get the required runs.

In their reply, Audlem's opening batsmen, Zar Ahmed and Parry began prudently as they gathered confidence in the wicket. The pair took no chances and relied on the odd boundary to keep the scoreboard ticking, as they took the score to 69 before Parry was caught behind off his glove for 22.

Steve Ellsmoor, playing in his first game of the season, joined Ahmed at the crease and the two of them eased Audlem past the winning post with almost 25 overs to spare. Ahmed, who hit the winning boundary, was 56 not out.
Audlem took 25 points and Norbury just 3.

With Northwich 3rd XI having dropped out of the league since the start of the season, the 2nd XI don't have a league game on Saturday, but they travel to 4th Division high-fliers Langley to play a cup knockout game on Sunday.

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