Haggy is back with a bang!

Burwell old boy Matthew Hague returned to bite his old team when he scored a superb opening day century to propel Sawston and Babraham to a first day win by 130 runs.

Hague who sandwiched his two spells at Sawston with a couple of years at Burwell. Dan Heath, again worked his magic when he won the toss and decided to bat. Hague and fellow opener Waqas Hussain raced to 51 inside the first ten overs before Hussain perished. Hague then added 111 with Sixteen year-old Noah Thain (44) and a further 61 with Callum Guest (43 from just33 balls) as the Rams hurried along to 223 for 2 inside forty over. Despite losing Ben Clilverd cheaply the Australian added a further 44 with George Darlow before he was finally dismissed at 269, after hitting 129 (from 128 deliveries), with just five overs of the fifty to go.

Darlow with a boundary laden 39 (from 27 balls) was joined in the plunder for late runs by Tim Moses who helped himself to 34 not out from just fifteen deliveries as the innings closed at 331 for 7. There were two wickets apiece for Matt Jones and Alex Wooliscroft.

The Burwell and Exning innings floundered initially as Jefferies and Catley joined skipper Tom Griffiths back in the Pavilion with just forty on the Board, Sawston thankfully not having to regret a couple of early chances that were spilled. Mark Smith picked up his almost customary early two wickets (2-31) and James Vandepeer despite suffering the two drops picked up 1-11 from an opening spell of 7 overs. Joe Tetley (35 from 49 balls) and the impressive Nicholas Huckle then steadied the ship adding seventy before falling to Darlow (1-43). Darlow and Guest bowled in tandem to stifle the reply with Guest also picking up a wicket (1-28).

The required rate climbed as Moses (2-48) and golden-arm Waqas Hussain (2-11) picked up regular wickets before Huckle’s almost lone vigil ended on 73 (from 102 deliveries) on 175 for 9. There was an entertaining cameo from Jay Ghelani (20 not out) before Burwell’s overseas James Hickman was bowled, almost inevitably, by that man Hague.

Elsewhere there were first day wins for Swardeston, Bury St.Edmunds, Mildenhall, Sudbury and Great Witchingham, with the latter incredibly chasing down 317 at 2019 Champions Frinton.

Sawston and Babraham’s third string got their pre-season off to a flyer when they defeated Longstowe by 10 wickets. Dom Cameron took advantage of the difficult batting conditions to pick up 5-17 on his full debut. Ian Smith chipped in with 3-3 as the hosts were dismissed for 53 despite James Buss’s 28. Naga Yanamendela and Sam Brown picked up the other wickets. In reply Sawston openers Wes Potchul (26 not out) and Oli Borley (23 not out) knocked off the runs in just 13 overs.

SBCC’s 2nd string commenced their pre-season with a superb win at Saffron Walden. The higher ranked home side’s second-string ply their trade in the Cambs and Hunts Premier Division 2. The home side won the toss and decided to bat. Unfortunately, they lost four early wickets slipping to 49 for 4 with opener Alex Peirson (21) the only one to make any sort of score. Scott Stanford (2-20) picking up two early wickets with debutants Ollie North and James Drummond also picking up their first wickets.

Bertie Scott and the patient Josh Down settled before 78 for 4 became 87 for 8. Henry Rodda and Langley rallied briefly to take the score to a disappointing 123 all out. Another new boy Ant Phillips (2-16) bowling in tandem with Jake Raven (3-15) polished off the late order and tail.

Despite the early loss of Josh Jordan the home side were never in the hunt as Ben Benson and Scott Stanford (35 for 34 balls) added 95 for the 2nd wicket. Phillips then joined opener Benson who carried his bat for a fine 67 not out (from just 60 balls) to see the Rams home by eight wickets in just 18.4 overs.