Cricket Report

Audlem Sunday X1 .v. Column Cricket Club ( Shrewsbury ) Sunday 23 April

The Sunday X1 couldn't quite reproduce the heroics of their league team the previous day after falling to a narrow 20 run defeat against Column CC from Shrewsbury in a high scoring encounter.

On a cold grey afternoon with rain always threatening Audlem skipper, Ollie Banfield lost the toss and was asked to field first.

After a steady start against Audlem's fine opening bowling attack of Jake Topping and Rahman Bukhari the batsmen started to find their feet and adapt to the unpleasant weather conditions and slow outfield.

Young Australian opening batsman Sam Shepherd took a while to adapt to unfamiliar playing conditions but soon started to show his class and was the backbone of the Column innings with a fine 72 not out ably supported by skipper Mark Ferguson with a belligerent 52 not out as Column closed on 210 for 9 off their 40 overs.

Usman Ghani was the pick of the bowling attack bowling his 8 overs for 42 whilst taking 3 wickets in the process.

Audlem's reply got off to a fine start thanks to a quickfire innings from young Michael Burton who stroked a sublime 47 before being trapped LBW and Adil Mohammed who scored 55 not out.

The run chase was always well within range but as the wickets began to fall the task began to get more difficult. Audlem eventually fell just 20 runs short when the final wicket fell in the 35th over.

A fine game played in adverse conditions in the best sporting traditions of Sunday cricket.

Next Sunday Audlem host Burton CC from Chester with a 1.00pm start

John Wainwright
Audlem Cricket Club