1s look to bounce back on the road! - Tibbsy's weekend preview 26.06 - 27.06

Sawston and Babraham travel to Copdock on Saturday, second plays tenth. That’s nice and straight forward then! Nothing in life is ever that straight forward. The Rams travel in hope that they can avoid, what would be an unprecedented (for this squad) third successive defeat.

Sawston will not take the opposition lightly remembering I’m sure the home defeat that so very nearly de-railed last year’s Southern Section win. They will also be weary of the threat posed by local lad Ben Claydon, who hit a ton in a losing cause in the corresponding fixture last year but then undid us with his bowling in the game we lost. Our only defeat of the regular season last year.

The home side has just two wins, both in the limited overs format. However, despite no wins from the timed format they have registered three draws suggesting they can be stubborn. Claydon has again been Copdock’s main run-getter with some support from Jack Beaumont. Chris Swallow with thirteen wickets leads the bowling unit, which tends to suggest where their difficulties have laid with again Beaumont being the most successful of the other bowlers. The Rams are still missing left-armers Stafford and Darlow but at least the latter is now fit enough to be back on a cricket field, both are missing due to school commitments. However, skipper Dan Heath is pleased to welcome back Tim Moses who will strengthen both the batting and bowling. It’s a straight swap for Ollie Borley, they could be mistaken for twins (well they’re both grumpy!).
Sawston will be hoping that the lovely venue will again inspire Waqas Hussain who hit our first ever EAPL hundred there last year. Will Bailey retains his place after impressing in his last two outings.

The seconds are at home to Orton Park, who are another first-time visitor to Sawston. The visitors have had a mixed bag of a season and find themselves in mid table. Their three wins have all attracted maximum points which suggest on their day they are a good all-round outfit. With ‘BB’ Bailey on first team duty, and two of his ex-Haverhill teammates absent (the fines committee will be doing brisk business!) the Rams are grateful that the thirds do not have a game. Borley returns to the seconds where Sean Jenkins retains his place and is joined by Tom Champness, the fit again James Drummond and Club legend Liam Flynn.

With Nick Griggs relinquishing the skipper’s role Ben Benson steps up to take charge. The Rams will be hoping that the new skipper can continue with the happy knack of great first wicket partnerships that have been a feature this year. His latest ‘partner’ Josh Jordan will be looking to add to his ‘man’ of the match performance last time out.

The fourth team have the chance of some quick revenge when they face NCI at Babraham Park. The fourths suffered a disappointing defeat on Parker’s Piece just a fortnight ago. Selection options should be boosted, if required, by the third’s not playing.

The thirds begin the defence of the CCA Lower Junior Cup, which they won in 2019, and were unable to defend last year as there was no competition. They face a tricky tie away to Wilburton in the T20 cup competition. Jake Ellis’s has lost regular squad members Jenkins, Borley, Champness, and Flynn since they have all made C&H Premier league appearances. No doubt he will call in ‘one of his paid professionals’ like he did in the 2019 Final!.