1st XI start with a crushing win against Norbury

Audlem 1st XI's 2011 Cheshire Cricket Alliance Division 2 campaign began with a comprehensive victory against Norbury by 82 runs in a low scoring game at the Gorse Croft. The match ball was sponsored by Carlton Chemicals.

Skipper Chris Shenton won the toss and elected to bat on a track that looked deceptively easy. The two openers Andy Capper and Andy Rothwell justified his decision, as a mixture of solid defence, flowing stroke play and squandered chances added 88 for the first wicket before Capper was run out, having scored 31. Norbury's celebration was marred by an injury to bowler Rick Lomas who dislocated his shoulder when celebrating the dismissal, reducing Norbury to ten men.

The introduction of Mike Holtom to the visitors' attack changed the complexion of the game completely. Rothwell succumbed immediately when he was caught by keeper Andy Downs, just three runs short of his half-century. Richard Wilson and Tom Measures took the score to 100 when Wilson was caught off Jason Dyer's bowling. Measures was out four runs later, becoming the second victim of the Holtom/Downs combination. Paddy Leese and Kemal Toraman took Audlem to 125 before Toraman was caught off Holtom's bowling. At this point the home team's innings collapsed as the last five wickets fell for just five runs. Holtom finished with 6 for 12 and Dyer 2 for 24.

Audlem's opening bowlers Stuart Elkes and Toraman soon had the visitors reeling with a devastating opening spell which reduced Norbury to 17 for 4, with both bowlers taking two wickets each. Matt Sharpe and Andy Downs offered some resistance taking the score to 37 before Sharpe was caught by keeper Leese off Oli Burney for 16. Soon afterwards Downs was hit on the elbow by a vicious delivery from Burney and had to retire hurt. Tom Twibell scored 11 as Norbury crumbled to 48 all out in just 16 overs, finishing with only nine fit players. Toraman finished with 4 for 20, Elkes 2 for 26 and Burney 2 for1.

Audlem gained the maximum 25 points and Norbury 5. On Saturday the 1st XI travel to Styal. The match ball is being sponsored by Andy Capper.

This article is from our news archive. As a result pictures or videos originally associated with it may have been removed and some of the content may no longer be accurate or relevant.