Swift savages Norbury

Simon Swift starred in a 9-wicket Audlem 1st XI victory on Saturday at Norbury, taking 5 for 27 off 11 overs. This included a wicket with his first ball and later being denied the opportunity of claiming a hat-trick.

A green track with undoubted moisture on top, suggested it was a bowl-first day for Audlem. Despite this, the home captain opted to bat first.

Swift's opening four-wicket burst was underpinned by an impressive spell of economical bowling from Callum Mcilveen, who eventually finished with figures of 1 for 13 from his 12 overs. His metronomic bowling allowed Swift to have the freedom to be aggressive and attack at will from the other end in the early stages. Their combined opening spell left Norbury 39 for 5.

With Neil Humphries introduced into the attack, a more defensive approach from Dale Overbury and Andy Downs ensued, playing the left arm spinner with a circumspect nature. The two Norbury batsmen played Mcilveen and Humphries well, before Stuart Elkes fresh from his maiden half-century last week was brought on to bowl.

Elkes' spell of 4 for 21 involved three lbws, which in the process took out the lower order of the Stockport outfit, before Swift took his fifth wicket from a gloved catch through to the returning Stu Stanway, who took two catches behind the stumps. Elkes' fourth and the final wicket of the innings was brought about following a fine catch from Mcilveen running in from the boundary.

For the second time in two weeks Audlem comfortably knocked off the required runs in an assured manner. This time, though, only the top three batsmen were needed to get the side home.

Andy Rothwell blazed 57 not out from 47 balls his second half century of this season. He hit ten fours and one six as the home side struggled to maintain any control. At the other end, Chris Shenton finished on 25 not out, ensuring that Audlem won their fifth consecutive match. Andy Capper (7) was the only batsman to succumb to Norbury's bowling as Audlem took just 16 overs to reach 94 for1.

This victory meant that Audlem gained 25 points and they moved up into second place in the Cheshire Alliance Division 2 standings, as both Knutsford and Frodsham lost their matches. The Gorse Croft side are now 17 points behind the league leaders, Tranmere Victoria, with ten games remaining. Norbury gained just 3 points.

The 1st XI entertain Rylands at the Gorse Croft this Saturday in a 1.30pm start.

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.