The sun and Alex Stafford finally make an appearance! - Tibbsy's Weekend preview 29/05 - 31/05
Our top three sides senior sides go into action at the weekend hoping to protect their respective 100% records and maintain their spots at the top of their leagues.
The first team who are top of the EAPL, sporting the only perfect record to date in that division travel to third place Bury St. Edmunds. Bury spectacularly ended the other 100% record last week when Ali Allchin’s seven-fer blew Gt. Witchingham away for 72. The Bury side are captained by local lad Ben Seabrooke, who seems to be thriving on the new responsibility. He will be looking for support from the likes of Josh Cantrell, George Lloyd and the in-form Allchin.
The Rams ‘doubled’ Bury last year and skipper Dan Heath will be hoping to continue that run. I suspect he will want to avoid last year’s drama where Sawston snatched an amazing four run victory at the Victory Ground. He will also be hoping that with the ‘currant bun’ finally making a seasonal debut that the result will not be totally dominated by the toss. With fantastic availability selection has been difficult but the Rams recall James Vandepeer and there is a return for schoolmaster Alex Stafford, both add to the batting depth and add balance to the bowling attack.
The first team squad strength means that the second team pick up two quality cricketers in Charlie Lewis to strengthen the top order, and new recruit Matt Lee who hopefully will, finally, get some much-needed overs under his belt. They add to an already strong squad where the Rams will be hoping that Benji Benson and Ant Phillips continue where they left off last week, and the season to date. Matt Ellis and a ‘lucky’ Scott Stanford also return to bolster the squad. They visit fourth place Burwell and Exning and will be hoping to keep their own unblemished record going.
The unlucky Sean Jenkins, one of last week’s top performers, last week’s debutant Will ‘Big Boy’ Bailey, and Ollie Borley all miss out on Saturday. Nick Griggs will need this strong squad as the 2nd team also face a tricky trip to Wisbech on bank holiday Monday, so far he has kept this side under wraps. We can argue that the 2nd team for Saturday is arguably the strongest we have ever fielded, although the Hague-Griggs vintage side may challenge this, however there is simply no argument that the third team are fielding their strongest line up ever. Jenkins and Borley are joined by Sean Ward and the returning Wes Potchul and Tom Champness. I’ve seen and played in weaker second teams! In a competitive division three south they make the short trip to Lt. Shelford.
Fourth team skipper Jeff Free is still ‘juggling his balls’, or at least that what he’s saying. The Rams development squad will be hoping to build on their win in their last game, and by an odd quirk in the fixtures are the only side at home this week, at Babraham. Jeff will again be looking for that blend of youthful promise and the consistency from his new recruits and established ‘old boys’ that worked so well in the victory over Bar Hill.