Audlem CC report

Longton CC.v. Audlem CC

Audlem's cricketers returned home with maximum points from their encounter at close rivals, Longton on Sunday, in the .Stone and District League : Section A South

Electing to bat first on a wicket prepared for the previous day's aborted first X1 game cancelled due to the weather, Audlem were hoping to score quick runs on a large fast outfield and true batting surface but the home team's accurate bowling and sharp ground fielding managed to keep the score in check especially the impressive Ryan Ellwell who is the leading bowler in the division and finished his spell with fine figures of 6 for 31.

Fortunately for Audlem the ebullient Atiq Hashmi again was the mainstay of the early order batting scoring a quickfire 43 whilst the more sedate, unflappable Usman Ghani held the middle order together with an unruffled 27 forming a valuable (and ultimately match winning) partnership with stylish skipper Ronnie Farnell (44) of 66 runs. All-rounders Neil Humphries and Shaj Ali ( Jnr) took the score up to 161 for 9 at the conclusion of the innings to leave both teams reasonably satisfied with their work at the tea interval.

Longton made serene progress with belligerent Ryan Ellwell and elegant Ewan Hurst at the crease and added 57 for the first wicket before Ellwell was removed with a sharp caught and bowled by Audlem's premier spin bowler, Neil Humphries. But the defining moment of the game came when the same bowler removed danger-man Hurst for a fine 45 and Longton subsided from 88 for 1 to 137 all out with just an over to spare. Star man Humphries finished with 5 for 38 and was well supported by Simon Swift (3 for 42) and Ewan Farnell (2 for 37).

Audlem's next fixture and final game of the season is on Sunday 29 September at Checkley CC.

A full scorecard of Sunday's game can be viewed here.

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