Audlem 1st XI remained unbeaten with a thumping win by 131 runs at Capenhurst to maintain their lead at the top of the Cheshire Cricket Alliance’s third division.
Skipper Chris Shenton won the toss and, in search of maximum points, elected to bat. He and Andy Capper chased the runs to put on 90 for the first wicket before Shenton was out for 57.
Paul Dean helped the runs continue to flow as the home team’s bowling was smashed to all sides of the ground.
Capper was out for 30 with the score on 111 but Dean and James Siddorns put on a further 70 runs before Siddorn bizarrely ended his partner’s knock.
Dean had to retire hurt, having scored 52, when he was hit in the ribs by a fierce on-drive by Siddorns.
Paddy Leese joined and the pattern continued until Audlem reached 228 when Siddorns was caught going for another big hit having scored 51.
Shenton declared the innings on 229-3 off 34 overs with Leese 12 not out and Lyndon Woodcock 1 not out.
Capenhurst started off steadily against Stuart Elkes and Siddorns but the picture changed when Woodcock’s off spin was introduced, taking two quick wickets to make it 31-2.
A break for rain and poor light posed problems so to speed up the over rate Shenton brought himself on to bowl along with Woodcock.
Two more wickets fell to Woodcock before Shenton got in on the act for the first of his two wickets. Woodcock took two further wickets to make it 69-8.
Only Neil Tilby had managed to keep the spin twins at bay but, going for a big hit against Woodcock, he got a top edge and skied the ball to fine leg, where the brave Dean, still in considerable pain, managed to hold on to the ball.
Stout defence from the home side’s last pair added a further eight runs before the heavens opened once again and it looked as though play would have to be abandoned.
However, another break in the clouds appeared and play resumed 20 minutes later. Woodcock snapped up the last wicket as Elkes took a brilliant one-handed catch.
Capenhurst went for 92, Woodcock taking 8-19 in 14 overs and Shenton 2-35.
Rain put paid to the 2nd XI’s division five game against Trinity after 41 overs after stand-in skipper Toby Banfield and Naz Ahmed made a great with 60 for the first wicket.
They were 165-7 at the end, with Banfield (41), Ahmed (35) and Norman Hindle (25 not out) their top scorers.
Tomorrow, the 1st XI visit Appleton but the 2nd XI don’t have a game.
