1st XI denied a win by Styal

On 16th July the 1stXI entertained tenth-place Styal hoping to build on the previous week’s win, but, after making a large score, had to settle for a draw as the visitors clung on for a draw in a match sponsored by Martyn Measures.

Once again skipper Chris Shenton won the toss and decided to bat.  Openers Andy Capper and Oli Burney got off to a steady start weathering the early swing, but in the seventh over Capper was out with the scoreboard showing just 7 runs. 

Neil Humphries joined Burney and the pair upped the run rate, adding 74 for the second wicket until Humphries was yorked having scored 50, including seven fours and three sixes.  Rich Wilson and Burney shared a fifty partnership before Burney was out for 46, leaving the home side 131 for 3. 

When Tom Measures joined Wilson, Wilson cut loose as the pair took the score to 216 before Wilson was out for an impressive 74.  Shenton and Measures added 37 for the fifth wicket until Shenton was caught for 29 trying for yet another boundary.  Measures was left on 19 not out as Shenton declared the innings on 253 for 5 after 44 of the allotted 48 overs.

Stuart Elkes got Audlem off to the perfect start, getting the first wicket with just one run having been scored.  When Lyndon Woodcock took the second wicket, things were looking good at 13 for 2.  Inevitably the visiting batsmen dug in with success. 

Brian Middleton (26) was the mainstay, but when Humphries trapped him lbw, a further chink of light appeared.  Another wicket to Woodcock put the visitors back in trouble, but Mo Baig and John Saxon again thwarted the home attack.

The introduction of Qhama Matthews soon accounted for Saxon, but Baig held out until he was caught by Woodcock off Humphries for a stubborn 13.    Chris Nolan (18) and Paul Shawcross (10) further frustrated Audlem, but when Woodcock had them both out it left Styal eight wickets down with 14 overs still remaining. 

Inevitably the batsmen dug in deeper as almost every ball was stonewalled.  The re-introduction of Oli Burney got the next breakthrough, but Styal’s last pair saw out the overs as they finished on 103 for 9 to deny Audlem the full 25 points.

Audlem gained 15 points to remain in fifth place and Styal 4.

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