Malpas edge out Audlem CC

Malpas Edge Out Attritional Audlem

On the day that Many Clouds won the Grand National down the road at Aintree, the only clouds at Audlem CC, were those ominous looking thunderous ones that were hanging over the form of the opening pair of Andy Rothwell and Richard Wilson.

It wasn't all doom and gloom though at The Gorse Croft, as Audlem put in a gutsy performance against opponents 4 division higher than themselves to only lose by 18 runs.

New skipper Stu Stanway won the toss and elected to field first. Although the sun was out, an obvious chill hung in the air, as a few players from the home contingent took the field sporting Audlem CC branded woolly hats.

The area surrounding Audlem had been under a barrage of rain in the lead up to the 2015 season, so it was a minor miracle that the teams had anything resembling a pitch to play on. When the first few overs of the 2015 season went through at ankle height, an attritional day's cricket was forecasted.

A confidence-boosting early cover-drive, wasn't enough to put lead-bowler Simon Swift off his stride as he finished with figures of 5-10. Not a bad start for a self-proclaimed "Non-bowling No. 10 batsman," following the end of 2014. His new ball efforts with Ronnie Farnell were solid, despite them both lacking spectacular figures early on. His first wicket, that of Stubbs, was caught and bowled as the opener was deceived by the lack of pace in the deck.

A 2nd early wicket followed as Qhama Matthews snagged a wicket with his first delivery of 2015. That would be all the success he would have in the day though, as he was one of the main victims to a partnership of 97 between Manny and Rickett. Lyndon Woodcock also took some damage as he went for 30 off his two overs. Manny raced to a half century taking advantage of some slack bowling from Audlem's wizard, whilst Rickett accumulated circumspectly for 32.

At 106-2, Malpas looked in good shape, for a huge push down the final straight as they searched for an above par score. Regular and consistent breakthroughs hampered their progress somewhat as they limped to 157 all out. Manny's early fluent 52 was only supported later on by a calm 25* from Matt Dunning. The undoubted main highlight from the middle to back end of the innings was the bowling of Reggie Farnell. The Cheshire Junior Representative barged his way through the Malpas order to claim figures from 5 overs. This wasn't so much of a knock on the 1st team door of Stu Stanway, but more of ramming the whole thing down. Watch this space.

157 represented a good effort, considering the difficult and turgid nature of the wicket that was more akin to conditions you would find in Antigua, rather than Audlem. These conditions exclude the heat and sunshine though.

Stanway opted for Andy Rothwell and last year's skipper Richard Wilson to open the batting. 2015 couldn't have started much worse for Wilson, as he was bowled 2nd ball for 0. No tea for Wilson, but more of an afternoon brunch with his bagel. Rothwell followed him back shortly after he was also bowled by Haywood for 1.

Stanway and Matthews set about rebuilding the innings in a subdued manner, rotating the strike and punishing any wayward deliveries. Both players look particularly assured in what were difficult run-scoring conditions. 41 was on the board, before Matthews tried to turn one into the legside that looped up off a leading edge to spinner McMinn. George Botham and Stanway both continued on in much the same way. A lofted Straight Six from Botham was a particular highlight, as Stanway routinely continued along.

93-3 quickly turned into 109-7 as Botham, Stanway, Ronnie Farnell and Paul Thorburn fell, as the home side gave away a strong position of authority. The skipper will feel particulary aggrieved as an impressive one-handed catch saw him dismissed.

Lower order contributions from Reggie Farnell and Simon Swift helped Audlem get up to 139. However, it wasn't enough as Stubbs finished off with figures of 3-6.

All in all, Audlem will be pleased for the work out and happy with some of the performances on show. Especially pleasing will be the early form of Simon Swift and the progress of the Farnell brothers. Bottom Line: Not a bad start (unless your name is Richard Wilson).

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