Late survival effort is catalyst for Audley's fine Premier A start...

THE sides in the top-end divisions of the North Staffs and South Cheshire League are making a switch this weekend.

- CHRIS TRAVERS

After six rounds of pink-ball, win/lose matches, it’s now time to turn to the red-ball format for 11 weeks of win/lose/draw cricket.

So what have learned in the first month-and-a-half of the campaign?

CARRYING ON THE MOMENTUM

Audley came close to playing Premier B cricket this season.

They won their last two matches of the 2024 campaign to preserve their status in the top flight - and have built on that much-needed ending.

Rob Hemmings’ side have opened up 2025 with five wins from six pink-ball encounters to take their place at the top of Premier A.

It's far too early, of course, to indicate that they may be in the frame for the title.

But Hemmings and head coach David Fairbanks will certainly be pleased about how Audley have managed to hit the ground running this time around.

Fairbanks dipped into his contacts book over the winter to recruit Longton trio Archie and Freddie Doorbar and Alex Coates.

And young South African Steve Stolk flew over to take on the overseas role.