Audlem CC Cricket Report

Saturday September 13 Audlem v Church Eaton

Audlem welcomed visitors from Church Eaton to The Gorse Croft on a cold, blustery autumnal afternoon with the promise of intermittent rain showers to hinder proceedings throughout the course of the game.

he hosts needed just 4 points to gain promotion to division 3 of the North Staffs & South Cheshire Cricket League and a win would secure the number one spot with a game in hand.

Skipper Chris Shenton won the toss and immediately invited the visitors to bat as expected with interruptions in proceedings threatened by the inclement weather. From therein things didn't quite go to script with Church Eaton's prolific opening batsman taking charge. Jay Arnold set the tone of the innings with a classy 83 off just 78 deliveries with assistance coming mainly from D.Smith, White and R. Hogarth. The visitors closed on a formidable 220 for 8 off their allocated 40 overs to set Audlem a stiff target given the conditions. The main consolation was that the necessary points had been gained to ensure promotion with their bowling exploits as a point is awarded with every 2 wickets taken.

Audlem were not at their best in all departments on the day as they limped to 131 all out in the 25th over as Church Eaton claimed a well deserved 89 run victory.The bowling honours were shared between Abijith, Dave P, Simon & Bertie each claiming 2 wickets with the batting plaudits going to Venu with a belligerent 62 off only 42 deliveries.
The final round of fixtures has thrown up a first .v. second encounter with Audlem scheduled to visit the Staffordshire Moorlands to face Ashcombe Park requiring just 5 points to be crowned champions in an intriguing contest.

The last two Sunday games have been impacted by the weather with Sunday's home fixture against Middlewich abandoned with just 6 overs of play possible and the previous Sunday the long trip to Wolverhampton ( Springhill CC ) was all in vain as heavy rain prevented any play at all.

The final game takes place with a home fixture against neighbouring Aston on Sunday with a 12.30pm start.