Cricket Report – a thrilling finish

Audlem CC .v. Stafford CC ( Saturday June 8 )

Stafford came out on top in the clash between the two top teams in the division on Saturday cumulating in a thrilling finish with Audlem's last pair of batsmen at the wicket and only 4 runs needed.

In football parlance matches are often described as 'a game of two halves' where the balance of play is transformed from one team's domination being reversed in the second period. This cricket match was distinctly a game of four quarters where the advantage swung from one to the other. Stafford were asked to bat and at the drinks interval ( 20 overs ) were in a dominating position with the score approaching 100 and only 3 wickets down but the hosts regrouped after the short break and with the fall of two quick wickets the game started to look very different. Another stand of 42 for the sixth wicket frustrated the home team but when the dangerous pair of G. Fulton and K. Bhuvanachandran were removed in quick succession the tail folded and the last four batsmen were removed with the addition of just one run to finish with 143 all out.

Audlem's reply got off to the worst possible start with skipper, Chris Shenton falling second ball of the innings. With opening bowlers, Haynes and Williams on top of the game and dominating proceedings the situation looked bleak for the hosts. At 54 for 6 the game appeared lost but opener Richard Wilson was still at the crease and added 34 runs for the seventh wicket with Ben Salisbury and another 22 for the 8th with V. Rahul to take the total to 120 before finally falling for an excellent 53. The drama was far from over as a last man stand between Ron Paul and Rahul got the hosts to within one hit of victory. With just 9 balls of the innings left Ron launched into a lofted drive over mid-on in an attempt to finish the game with one mighty blow but with the ball heading over the ropes for a maximum the boundary fielder in place managed to snatch it out of the air and claim victory for the visitors.

A great game of cricket that lived up to expectations with Stafford claiming the spoils to remain on top of the division with Audlem gaining enough points from the game to reward their brave attempt and remain second in the standings.

Top performers for Audlem were Abijith Jayan who bowled 7 overs conceding only 4 runs whilst taking 4 wickets and Simon Swift with 27 for 3. The batting plaudits were shared between Richard and Rahul who remained unbeaten on 23 no. Abijith's form has been remarkable over the past two games claiming 11 victims whilst only conceding 17 runs in 14 overs. Audlem are at home on both Saturday and Sunday next weekend incorporating the postponed fixture from early season.