2nd XI comprehensively beaten in top clash

In last Saturday's Cheshire Cricket Alliance Division 5 match of the day, the 2nd XI, in third place, played host to second-placed Langley. Langley started the day just 20 points ahead of Audlem, but a solo performance by Langley's Matthew Barber dispelled any victory hopes that Audlem had and increased the gap between the teams to 40 points.

Skipper Toby Banfield won the toss and elected to bowl to give the home team the best chance of victory against the visitors. Unfortunately, Langley got of to a decent start with the opening pair putting on 35 before the loss of the first wicket. However things looked up as Audlem came back and started to turn the screw as Langley were reduced to 41 for 4. When the sixth wicket fell with the scoreboard showing 84 off 27 overs, Banfield's decision looked to have paid off. However man-of-the-match Matthew Barber and visiting skipper Dave Bellfield had different ideas as they resurrected Langley's innings and put them into a commanding position. They added 102 runs for the seventh wicket before the previously solid Bellfield was out for 16. Langley continued to score freely and finished on 208 for 8 off their 48 overs. Barber finished on 105 not out, having been dropped on 24 and surviving a run out chance before reaching 50. Once again Roy Wild was Audlem's most successful bowler, taking 3 for 49. He was well supported by Ollie Burney and Raj, who took two apiece.

Audlem's response started disastrously as they were reduced to 11 for 3 after just 5 overs. A stand of 51 between Zar Ahmed and Phil Backes brought Audlem back into the game. Backes had scored 27, including his first six in senior cricket, before losing his wicket to a sharp return catch by Andy Bellfield. From then on the home team crumbled. Ahmed was out shortly after for 18. Then Langley grabbed the initiative as Audlem were finally dismissed for 81 off just 29 overs. Following on from his fine batting performance Barber took 6 for 30. Langley gained 25 points and Audlem 5.

Following their heavy defeat, the 2nd XI drop one place to fourth. Tomorrow they travel to Hazel Grove to play mid-table Norbury.

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