Audlem Cricket Club Report

Presidents day at Hodnet -Click on Image to enlarge

The solitary success from last weekend's fixtures came from the Sunday X1 with a victory in the annual President's Day game at Hodnet and Peplow CC.

Audlem have been asked to provide the opposition for this fixture for a number of seasons and are treated to some fine hospitality from the host club. The games are always competitive with the emphasis on the junior participation throughout. This season Audlem came out winners by 47 runs in a high scoring game with prolific opening batsman Alfie Hardy once again leading the way with a belligerent 50 ( not out) and young Ryan Anderson scoring a fine 53 ( not out ) . Valuable contributions from Harry Measures ( 26 ) & Andy Jackson ( 22 ) in the early order and Dave Parkinson ( 35 not out ), batting at no 9 set the total on 229 for 6 at the tea interval. With a decent total to defend the Audlem bowlers soon made inroads into the host's line-up with Conor Howard ( 3 for 25 )  & Richard Irvine ( 2 for 14 )  removing the cream of the batting. Two wickets for young Harry Measures + one each from Bertie Hardy , Steve Neale and Tom Measures saw the hosts dismissed for 183 in the 36th over.

The Saturday teams both had disappointing games with a heavy home defeat for the first team at the hands of Leek at the Gorse Croft with a comprehensive 10 wicket margin. Bertie Hardy was the only batsman to reach double figures as Audlem were dismissed for a paltry 47 runs. The target was reached with ease by Leek without loss.

The second team got themselves into a decent position in their game away to Congleton , posting 203 for 6 at the halfway stage of proceedings with Tom Measures once again providing the lion's share of the runs with a fine 86 not out, well supported by David Cottrell ( 30 ), Marcus Taylor ( 20 ) & Conor Howard ( 17 not out ). Audlem then put together their worst fielding display of the season to give the home team multiple opportunities to overhaul the total with a host of dropped catches and sloppy ground fielding handing Congleton victory in the final over of the reply. A fine unbeaten century by Amur Hussain was the standout performance of the game as his team closed with a 4-wicket victory. The disappointing result was compounded as Audlem were overtaken for second position in the league table by Meakins who defeated Stone in their encounter. With three league games to go Audlem now have it all to do to gain promotion.

Next weekend's fixtures :-

Saturday 22 August

First X1 .v. Longton

Ashcombe Park .v. Second X1

Sunday 23 August

Sunday X1 .v. Haslington

All games have a 1.00pm start