Seconds go second

Last Saturday the 2nd XI had their first-ever encounter with The Groves 2nd XI from Ellesmere Port. Despite the recent damp weather the sides were faced with a firm pitch at the Gorse Croft and an outfield that promised to give full value for shots. In a low-scoring encounter Audlem gained a three-wicket victory over the team one place above them in Division 4.

Taking into account the doubtful weather forecast and mindful of the bowling riches at his disposal, skipper Danny Thorburn won the toss and invited the visitors to bat. The first three batsmen to fall all went for ducks with Dave Parry taking two and youngster Ronnie Farnell clean bowling the experienced Steven Aldcroft.

A revival of sorts now took place between opener Kris Green and big-hitting Steve Walmsley who lifted Parry over the sightscreen for a massive six. Attempting a repeat performance, the batsman miscued and spiralled a return catch towards the bowler, who made ground backwards as fast as he could. Unfortunately all three stumps intervened and Parry did a passable impression of a Fred Dibnah chimney but without holding on to the ball. Shortly afterwards Parry got his revenge when Walmsley was caught by Lyndon Woodcock at slip for a swift 15. Keeper Leo North then caught Green (13) off the bowling of Woodcock and The Groves were again on the ropes at 45 for 6.

A second revival began from brothers Stu and Michael Piercy. Stu departed lbw with the score at 51 but was recalled by the Audlem fielders as he was about to cross the boundary rope as the general consensus was that he had hit the ball. The Corinthian spirit looked to be about to backfire on the home side as the score now moved steadily forward but then Woodcock turned a ball prodigiously to bowl skipper Michael for 10. Rob Johnson, making his first 2nd XI appearance for five years, then bowled Stu for 23 and Woodcock completed a dramatic caught and bowled for the innings to close at 71 all out after 31.3 overs.

Parry took 5 for17, Farnell 1 for 20, Woodcock 3 for 14 and Johnson 1 for 0. An indication of the strength of the attack was that for the first time since records began, Roy Wild was not required to bowl.

Towards the end of the visitors' innings the sky had become increasingly black around three parts of the ground and Audlem worried that all the good work in the field could be undone. However, despite the loss of skipper Dan Thorburn for 2, Zar Ahmed and Johnson batted confidently and had reached 44 before Johnson was bowled for a classy 26. Ron Farnell and Paul Thorburn then departed with the score still at 44 and suddenly the weather was no longer the problem with the sky pleasingly turning light grey.

Rob Chadwick (5), North (1), Reg Farnell (2) and Parry (1 not out) provided support more in terms of time than in runs, as Zar progressed serenely to an error-free 27 not out to see his side reach 75 and achieve a three-wicket victory with plenty of overs to spare.

Audlem gained 20 points to move above their opponents into second place, whilst The Groves gained just 4 points to slip to third.

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