Foxton Granta CC News story


LEAGUE TITLE DENIED BY THE NARROWEST OF MARGINS

19 Sep 2011

TUCKER GARDNER PREMIER DIV. 1

Sawston 151 (38.2overs) Foxton 203-8 (48 overs)

Despite winning at Sawston Foxton were denied by a solitary bonus point in their aim to win the Tucker Gardner Premier Division 1 League title by Ramsey who also claimed a maximum 25 points haul at Wisbech. Being invited to bat by their hosts Foxton lost Antonnel Atwell (12) with the score on 29, bowled round his legs by Henry Campbell, who was enjoying a seven over opening spell whilst conceding only eight runs. After 15 overs Sawston employed an all spin attack for the remainder of the innings using Vaughan Blanchard and Matt Bradford. Number three Lawrence Farnum then joined Gareth Roots and they produced a useful stand of 66 before Farnum fell for 33 in the 22nd over caught and bowled by Blanchard to leave Foxton at 95-2. Anchor man Roots became another caught and bowled victim to Blanchard for a solid 53, and after 34 overs Foxton were 140-4. The batting remained consistent and Cei Sanderson (25), Tyler Deas (21 not out), Max Bowen (14) and Mark Ferrari (13) all contributed to a competitive final total of 203-8 after the maximum 48 overs. Blanchard was the pick of the home bowlers with the impressive return of 16-3-63-5 and Bradford 2-67 off 14 overs.

Foxton opened their attack with medium pacemen Ferrari and Bowen, and the latter tasted early success bowling Liam Flynn in the fifth over. Foxton then followed their hosts tactics and after 15 overs also turned to spin using Atwell and Tom Stone for the rest of the match. It appeared to pay immediate dividends as Stone with his fourth delivery trapped Marc Pearson l.b.w. to leave Sawston on 32-2. Anthony Niterl then joined the in touch Blanchard and a useful stand of 37 kept Sawston very much in the hunt until the former was bowled by Atwell for 28. Ben Benson (11), Adam Ellis and Bradford with 14 apiece supported Blanchard, but their hopes dimmed with his dismissal being seventh out l.b.w. to Stone for a bright knock of 63 (nine fours), and Sawston were then struggling on 149-7. The tail was quickly mopped up and they subsided to a final total of 151. Stone with 14-1-56-5 and Atwell 4-48 off 11.2 overs took the lion's share of the spoils.

The final top three in the league were champions Ramsey 382, Foxton 381 and March 354.