Audlem reach the last eight

Audlem reached the last 8 of the T20 cup on Sunday demolishing a young Mossley side by 111 runs at Gorse Croft on a delightful afternoon in Cheshire.

The strong breeze that cut through much of Saturday's victory at Knutsford gave way to strong sunshine and it was just as well Richard Wilson was unavailable for selection due to family commitments.

Stanway won the toss and elected to bat on a pitch which, a day previously, had seen Sandbach 3rd's sink to just 37 all out.

With that in mind, Audlem made a solid, if unspectacular start with Matthews using up 23 balls for his 9. He rotated the strike well as Stuart Stanway took advantage of some wayward bowling and was able to crash several boundaries.

It wasn't until Neil Humphries strolled to the crease that the fireworks began. Used to batting with the tail, Humphries can often be found muttering expletives under his breath most Saturdays as another Audlem batting collapse unfolds and finally he got his chance to show why.

Stanway was marching serenely towards a better than a run a ball 50 but was quickly becoming in danger of being lapped by the Silver Fox at the other end. He made Mossley pay for dropping him twice as Audlem moved to past 100 in the 12th over for the loss of just one wicket.

A score of 180+ was now a realistic prospect as Audlem's skipper looked well set and Humphries joined him on 50 soon after. When Stanway was bowled for 55 at 142-2 with 6 overs left Mossley believed a chaseable total was still highly possible.

Tom Kural had other ideas though, he raced to 18 from his first 5 balls with 3 fours and a six, much to the amusement of Richard Wilson who was in contact via video link.

Humphries then took 27 from the next over which included 2 6's as he moved in to the 70's and suddenly Audlem were 177-2 with 4 overs left and dreaming of 220. Humphries dismissal for 74 put an end to those hopes and Kural's 28 run cameo from 11 balls saw a mini collapse ensue but the home side were still able to post a huge 203-5 from their 20 overs.

Mossley, with seven under15's in their XI, looked to bat and enjoy themselves on a wicket comparable to the A500. Simon Swift was yet again the architect of the opposition's demise, taking his first test match five fer to return outstanding figures of 4-1-6-5.

The visitors Captain, Cresswell, counter attacked with a brutal 54 but he received minimal support from his team mates as Farnell, Mcilveen, Stafford and Hine all picked up wickets to close Mossley's innings at 92 all out in exactly 20 overs.

In the next round Audlem are away at Norbury on Sunday the 5th of July. Players with partners are once again reminded about permission slips for the 2 games in a weekend.

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