Cricket Report

Alfie Hardy (Audlem CC)Harry Measures (Audlem CC)

An entertaining weekend for Audlem's cricketers with both league games ending in high scoring draws and the Sunday X1 narrowly defeating Betley the following day.

The Saturday first X1 were involved in a run fest at the Gorse Croft as visiting Oakamoor racked up 232 for 9 off their allotted overs. Audlem made a good reply with returning Jack Allman (57) and Charles Birkin (20) adding 80 at the start of the reply but with 4 wickets falling during the next 20 runs the innings slowed somewhat . Number six batsman Dave Blatherwick kept the score moving with a fine 52 and was well supported by Jake Topping (16) & Sam Patterson (14) in productive partnerships as Audlem edged the score forward to attain maximum batting points from the game. A flurry of wickets at the end of the game gave some anxious moments, but the hosts hung on for a well-earned draw closing on 190 for 9. Earlier in the day Bertie Hardie was the leading wicket taker, claiming three victims for 43 runs. Abijith with 2 for 33, Vijayan 2 for 29 & Simon Swift 1 for 40 were the other wicket takers with the other wicket falling to a runout. Audlem gained 11 points from the encounter whilst Oakamoor were rewarded with 14.

The second team's game at Wistaston went ' to the wire' with Audlem just 5 runs short of victory at the conclusion of affairs and Wistaston requiring the final wicket.

Wistaston put out a strong X1 for the game against their near neighbors and elected to bat first after winning the toss on another baking hot day. Audlem's bowlers and fielders didn't perform to their usual high standards as the hosts were able to press on without too much drama and at the halfway stage set Audlem a competitive total as they closed on 205 for 5. The visitors set about their task with

Tom (The Wall) Measures once again forming the backbone of the innings with a fine patient 31. Hamish Howard blitzed an entertaining 21 in a first wicket partnership with Tom before the middle order failed to fire and the scoring rate fell behind the clock and wickets began to tumble. The game took on a new dimension as number six batsman, young David Cottrell joined Tom at the crease as he took the bowling on in a highly entertaining innings of 36 in only 38 balls in a 60 run fifth wicket partnership. 123 for 5 soon became 132 for 6 as Tom's marathon stay at the wicket ended and everyone in attendance thought the game was up... but not James (Cottrell) & Harry (Measures) who in less than 6 overs added 57 runs to take Audlem within sight of the finishing line. James was the chief scorer in the partnership with 53 runs coming off only 32 balls ( 10 fours and 1 huge six ) with Harry ( 11 not out ) playing an equally valuable role in securing the 'other end' whilst James was creating havoc amongst the Wistaston fielders. James's innings eventually came to an end with the score now on 189 for 7 and firmly back in the game but with new batsmen at the crease and overs almost exhausted Audlem had to settle for a creditable draw against worthy opponents as the innings closed on 201 for 9.  The right result on the day as Audlem gained enough points from the drawn encounter to maintain their second position in the division in their quest for promotion in their first venture into the North Staffs and South Cheshire Cricket League.

Noah Simcox (Betley CC)

The Sunday game was another close encounter, but this time Audlem managed a 16-run victory against Betley at The Gorse Croft.

The game's top performers were the junior contingents from both elevens with Audlem's now regular opening batsman,  Alfie Hardy scoring yet another half century (52 retired not out)  & young Harry Measures clocking up his first 50 for the club (retiring not out) as Audlem scored 199 for 6 off their 40 overs. Marcus Taylor with 22 and young Ryan Anderton ( 14 ) also played valuable innings in contributing to the total. Betley's juniors were also to the fore with Noah Simcox (2 for 23), Tom Happe (2 for 28) & Fraser Pass (2 for 33) sharing the wickets to fall.

Noah's performance was enhanced with a fine half century in Betley's reply with Conor Howard back to his best in Audlem's bowling attack with figures of 2 for 23 off his 8 overs as the visitors closed on 183 for 6.

Next Saturday, Audlem 1st X1 will travel to Barlaston whilst the second X1 entertain Stone in a promotion battle. The following day the Sunday X1 make the journey to Acton Scott in South Shropshire