Audlem 1st XIs travelled to Holmes Chapel in Cheshire Cricket Alliance Division 2 last Saturday for a match played under clear blue skies and in sweltering conditions.
Skipper Chris Shenton won the toss and opted to bat first on a flat batting track.
But this decision appeared to backfire as Shenton, fellow opener Andy Capper and Richard Wilson were all back in the pavilion with just 16 runs on the scoreboard.
All three were caught by keeper Andy Gilligan off Neil Almond’s bowling and this brought together the in-form Tom Measures and Paddy Leese.
Luck shone on the side of Measures as he offered up three chances in as many overs to the Holmes Chapel fielders, none of which were taken.
As the new ball wore off, Leese and Measures found runs easier to come by, playing some exquisite shots as their healthy partnership went past 100.
However, the Audlem batsman still offered up chances that Holmes Chapel refused to take as Leese and Measures were both dropped again.
Their partnership was eventually broken when Leese was dismissed for 60 to make the score 133-4.
This led to a quick and enjoyable cameo innings from Kemal Toraman who scored 27 and brought an increase in momentum from Measures which helped to propel the total along.
Measures’ defiance ended in the final over for a terrific 82 to put his side in a strong position of 213-7 after 48 overs.
The momentum and luck continued to roll Audlem’s way as Burney and Elkes bowled fiery opening spells to slice through the Holmes Chapel top order.
But Alan Thorburn had other ideas as he counter-punched a quickfire 43, before playing one shot too many off the bowling of the wily Lyndon Woodcock as Burney gratefully accepted the catch.
In similar fashion to the first innings, once the effect of the new ball disappeared, the pitch calmed down and batting became much easier.
This allowed for free run scoring by the Holmes Chapel batsman, despite the regular wickets that were falling and with seven wickets down and 144 on the board, Audlem sensed victory.
However, some lusty blows and great timing from Jon Steele and Tim Cowburn brought Holmes Chapel right back into the game and with the help of Gilligan and Jump, they managed to maintain the run rate and keep the runs required manageable.
Despite this, Audlem chipped away with Stuart Elkes and Toraman taking a wicket each as the score got further and further within the grasp of the Holmes Chapel batsmen.
As the scoreboard read 212-8, the Audlem players were resigned to defeat until Olly Burney restored a bit of faith taking the wicket of Cowburn to leave the match hanging in the balance.
But despite the fact of Jump and Almond clearly looking nervous, they managed to reach their target with three overs to spare as Jump hit another four in a boundary-laden innings.
Audlem’s best bowlers were Stuart Elkes who took 4-36 and Oliver Burney with 3-63.
Audlem gained 14 points and Holmes Chapel 20 points but as a result of this defeat, Audlem drop to second place in Division 2.
They face Kerridge at home this Saturday at 2pm looking to rediscover the winning formula.
