Swift stars as Chapel crumble

The 1st XI had to rely yet again on their bowling unit to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat as they beat Division 2 leaders Holmes Chapel by 18 runs in a low-scoring match. Simon Swift was the man of the match as he starred with both bat and ball.

Chapel won the toss and put Audlem into bat on a green but solid track. The windy, and, at times, cloudy conditions were looking favorable for assisting the swing bowlers. This proved to be the case as the visitors were reduced to 50 for 6 with only Chris Shenton (26) showing any sign of coping with the bowling, especially that of Neil Almond who claimed five of wickets.

Toby Banfield and Simon Swift steadied the ship until Banfield was caught behind for 9 with the scoreboard showing 75. Swift and skipper Callum McIlveen continued the mini recovery, taking the score to 102 before Swift was caught for a gutsy 28. McIlveen followed soon after for 11 and when Neil Humphries played on to his wicket Audlem were all out for 110.

Chapel's innings got off to a good start with impressive hitting from the left handed Mike Brandon, however, Chapel too were guilty of giving their wickets away when Shenton two catches at mid-off. The prize wickets of Brandon (25) and Malcolm Rebbeck (25) followed as the game was turned by the introduction of McIlveen to the attack. The skipper couldn't quite manage a hat-trick but reduced Chapel to a similar position as the visitors. A few wickets later, the hosts were further reduced to 70 for 7 and victory was on the cards. The home team rallied late to take the score to 92 for 9 but couldn't hold on as, fittingly, McIlveen took the off stump of Maddock to finish the game on the same score. Swift finished with 5 for 37 off 15 overs and McIlveen 5 for 14 off 6 overs.

Audlem gained 25 points and Holmes Chapel 6. As a result the 1st XI remain in third place, whilst Chapel slip to second behind new leaders Port Sunlight.

On Saturday Audlem entertain bottom-of-the-division Mossley at the Gorse Croft with a 1.30pm start.

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