Sandbach Serviced

On the first Saturday of the official English summer the sun shone brightly at the Gorse Croft where Audlem 2nd XI welcomed their visitors, Sandbach 3rd XI.

Appearances were deceptive, however, as the strong, biting wind caused the travelling spectators to huddle for shelter in the lee of the pavilion and they were grateful to warm their hands around the cups of tea provided by the hosts (thanks Lyn!).

The Sandbach scorecard was equally deceptive, suggesting a pitch that contained a multitude of terrors for the batsmen where nothing could be further from the truth.

Master groundsmen Woodcock and Wainwright had prepared a ground that was a picture and a fast, firm, true wicket where batsmen could score quickly but also trust their technique and bat for long periods.

Skipper Danny Thornburn invited the guests to bat first on a track that was unlikely to deteriorate and the resulting scorecard is testimony to an attack described by the generous visitors as the best they had faced all season.

Stuart Elkes again removed an opener in his first over with a trademark booming swinger and then quickly went on to similarly dismiss promising youngster Robson Woods (7). When Rob Mottershead also removed captain Brian Jones for nought Sandbach were immediately up against it at 8-3.

Tim Coppenhall and Brian Bertoni showed what was required and kept out a rampant attack whilst being unable to move the score forward significantly.

Pinned down by accurate bowling, they were also unable to profit from the lightning outfield thanks to the 13-year-old lions prowling the covers and some sharp fielding from an energetic Sam Colclough who made an impressive debut for the club.

Charlie Hine only bowled two poor balls in his 5 over spell, the second of which was delightedly seized upon by Coppenhall (14) only for Danny Thorburn to take another of his excellent specialist catches at long mid-off (short long-on).

Wizard Woodcock accounted for Bertoni (12) with his second ball and the innings now crumbled to 40 all out with only three batsman scoring runs. All were bowled with one exception and the bowlers' figures make pleasant reading:

• Elkes, 6-3-9-2
• Mottershead 10-4-14-1
• Hine 5-1-13-1
• Woodcock 2-1-2-2
• With the promise of promotion up the order for every wicket he took battling into the gale-force wind, Reg Farnell took 3 wickets in 11 balls at the cost of only one wide.

In the absence of golfer Zar Ahmed, in Spain racking up a huge score over 18 holes that he can only dream of at cricket, John Wainwright (20) opened with Danny Thorburn (13) and
quickly showed the benefit of the surface ensuring a 10 wicket victory off 53 balls.

Unkind observers commented that instead of the game finishing at 4.30, Zar's presence would have prevented anyone seeing the start of the Champions League Final or, more realistically at least the Epsom Derby.

With no other batsmen required, number three batsman Reg was left wishing he had taken just one more wicket!

Victory number 8 from 8 matches maintains Audlem 2nds top of the table position and the long visit to Stalybridge St. Pauls awaits on Saturday.

In the next month come three stiff challenges from Stretton, Holmes Chapel and Styal, after which the team will have a clearer picture of the progress made this season.

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