Eight wicket victory for Audlem 2nd XI

Despite the deluge of the previous day, Frodsham 2nd XI took one look at the inviting wicket and had no hesitation batting first in Saturday's Division 4 clash.

Ali Junior sent down his traditional first over that helps ensure wicket-keeper North sleeps well on Saturday nights but it was Reg Farnell who caused a stir with his first ball of the day. Tom Burgess attempted to cut his short and wide delivery but in agonising slow motion the ball cosied up to the off stump with just enough strength to dislodge the bails.

However, even unluckier was Tony Ennis who became one of the few people in Britain to have been caught by Zar Ahmed. Moved from his customary third man position because of the number of balls flying to this region, Zar was contentedly chatting to the square leg umpire when the ball rocketed his way. Amazingly, he grabbed the ball with casual confidence as his team-mates rubbed their eyes in disbelief.

Further good catches were taken by Sam Colclough (2) and Steve Farnell dismissed the myth about his fielding with a sharp catch at extra cover to dismiss top-scorer Abram for 25. The Ali brothers were proving too much for batsmen insisting on trying to hit good balls to the boundary and Junior finished with 2-44 and Senior an excellent 4-33.

Leading wicket-taker Lyndon Woodcock suffered from Zar reverting to type and dropping what used to be known in the trade as a dolly, but two balls later Danny Thorburn clung on at long on to save Zar's blushes and enable the spinner to finish with 1-21.

Reg Farnell returned for a final burst, took the edge of Ian Hart's bat and Woodcock showed why he was at slip, diving upwards and right (from a crouching position) to clutch an excellent catch two-handed. Reg finished with 3-11 from 8.3 overs, a fitting return for the youngster and Frodsham finished on 112 all out from 33.2 overs, leaving Audlem 56 overs to reach their target.

The innings opened sensationally as in-form skipper Danny Thorburn departed LBW for a third-ball duck, immediately prompting a call-up to the first team.

Ali Senior steadied the ship but it was Zar Ahmed who calmed any nerves with customary solidity and who in fact surprisingly outpaced his partner. Having put on 82 together Zar fell one short of a deserved 50, ironically caught at gulley by his victim of a couple of hours earlier, Ennis.

Ali Junior desperately tried to overhaul his brother smashing 5 fours to finish on 21 not out but the elder brother secured this week's family bragging rights not only in the wicket-taking stakes but also in batting with his confident 31 not out.

The target was reached with 26 overs to spare and 25 more points were in the bag with the 8 wicket victory.

On Saturday Audlem 2nds travel to bottom side Sandbach 3rd XI and thereafter the last three games are firstly at home against fourth-placed Stalybridge followed by trips to pursuers Stretton, still 6 points behind in second place and Holmes Chapel currently in third in the table.

Hold on to your hats folks, it's going to be a close and exciting climax to the season!

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