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Audlem 1st XI back on Track

29th April 2015 @ 6:06am – by Tom Kural
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Audlem crushed 8 men Mellor on Saturday by 10 wickets inside two and a half hours to register their first win of the season.

Following last week's defeat to Styal ,Stanway's men knew another loss would already leave them playing catch up in a league which usually goes right down to the wire.

Mellor, on the other hand, were largely an unknown quantity after promotion from Division 3 last year and they had several key men missing due to other commitments.

The hour long journey was a pleasant one for anyone travelling with Andy Rothwell as he serenaded his passengers with John Grant and some signature Jens Lettmen. Weather wise, the outlook was poor and clouds hovered threatingly throughout the day over Mellor's picturesque ground near the Derbyshire border.

News from the toss saw Stanway invited to field by his opposite number and McIlveen was to share the new cherry with the recalled, and recently engaged, Stuart Elkes.

The hosts made a circumspect start in tricky conditions and McIlveen soon had the new ball talking as he removed two of Mellor's top three in the opening five overs. Andy Rothwell claimed his first slip catch of the season ahead of his 37th birthday on Monday.

At 13 – 2 conditions became such that the Umpire deemed it neccesary for a short break in proceedings. Once the rain had abated half an hour later, two overs were lost and the sky still looked rather bleak in all directions.

The visitors continued to plug away in bowler friendly conditions and the introduction of Humphries left the home side reeling at 21-4. Andy Etherington made the most of being dropped twice to top score with 17 but he received little support and two wickets in 8 balls for Swift saw Mellor dismissed for 35 with McIlveen picking up 3-16.

Tea was put on hold as both Captain's decided a quick turnaround was the best option and Stanway showed no mercy as he blitzed six fours in a 20 ball 29 not out. Rothwell was playing for a birthday red inker and finished 7 not out from 18 balls to see Audlem home with 25 points by 3.25pm which included a half an hour rain delay.

After the game we spoke to the Audlem skipper who said, "I was pleased with the result today, it was very emphatic and we will look to build on that next week."

Next week, Audlem play host to last year's 3rd placed side Maritime in the crunchiest of crunch fixtures on Bank Holiday weekend. Andy Rothwell is a doubt with a side strain and Callum McIlveen is still said to be recovering from an episode of the runs in Ladbrokes on Sunday morning.

Nets are from 6.00pm Thursday night and non-attendance because you are playing football does not count as a valid excuse. See you next week.


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