Thrilling victory for 2nd XI

The 2nd XI made the relatively short journey to Wilmslow to take on a home side full of confidence after two impressive performances in their opening games of the season.

Wilmslow won the toss and decided to bat first on a dry, dusty wicket. Throughout the innings their batsmen showed aggression and attacked from the start. However, opening bowler Abbie Adams kept her nerve and deserved more than the one wicket she took as chances came regularly to the Audlem fielders.

She was replaced by the guile of Lyndon Woodcock and Roy Wild who continued to keep things under control while at the other end Dave Parry wheeled away throughout the whole innings for the second consecutive match. Excellent catches were taken by Danny Thorburn, John Wainwright, Paul Thorburn and, remarkably, Zar Ahmed (two!). Parry finished with career-best figures of 8 for 61 as Wilmslow subsided to 97 all out from 34 overs.

Audlem's batsmen approached the target in a circumspect manner with Zar especially showing the value of technique and temperament on the unreliable wicket. Spinners Oakley and Harding pinned down the batsmen and the top order all fell to attacking shots, showing the justification of the respectful approach. When Zar was eventually caught behind for an invaluable 35, including 6 fours through cover, after 26 overs the score stood at 69 for 5 and the tension was gradually growing.

Runs were slowly eked out but Wilmslow continued to chip away with further wickets and when the walking wounded Parry and Leo North were dismissed the score stood at 92 for 9 with overs not an issue. Sixteen-year-old Abbie Adams and surely the best number eleven batsman in the league, Roy Wild, were all that stood between Wilmslow and an unexpected victory. "Cometh the hour, cometh the man" was consigned to the dustbin as it was Abbie who confidently lifted the Wilmslow opening strike bowler through midwicket for the winning runs.

Audlem gained 25 points and Wilmslow 7. This was a fine reward for an emotionally drained Audlem side in a match that was played by both sets of players in a spirit that many sports can only dream of. As a result, Audlem move up to fourth place in Division 4. Tomorrow sixth-place Stretton are the visitors to the Gorse Croft.

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