Clean sweep Saturday ends in Presidents round!

At Sawston, the home side finally shock off the pressure by claiming their first win in six games. They kept up their incredible 100% record over Sudbury by defeating the visitors by five wickets. The visitors although languishing in the bottom three had found better recent form; and could and perhaps should have beaten leaders Gt. Witchingham last week.

Sudbury won the toss and unsurprisingly opted to bat on a scorcher of a day, on what looked a belter of a track and a fast outfield. The Rams opening pair of James Vandepeer and Mark Smith performed their usual trick by claiming early wickets, winning the battle of the openers by removing skipper Adam Mansfield and keeper Rubin Herrman with just 22 on the board. The dependable Darren Batch (33) and the dangerous Ben Parker (28) steadying the ship and adding 59 runs at a steady pace before Parker was snared by Matthew Hague. When Batch followed two runs later, a first victim for Ben Clilverd, the Sudbury batting unit were under considerable pressure.

However, Alex Quinn (37) and Kenny Moulton-Day (24) then stabilised the innings moving the visitors to 129 for 4 in 42 overs. Just when they were perhaps looking to accelerate Vandepeer (3-34) returned to dismiss Moulton-Day and Ryan Vickery with two wickets in three balls. Matthew Hague (2-41) and Mark Smith (2-25) then removed Poulson and Cooper to leave Sudbury teetering on 141 for 8. Patrick Sadler then added a brisk 25 (from 27 balls) before Clilverd (3-33) picked up two more wickets in three balls to remove Sadler and the stubborn Quinn. The innings closed on 181 after just over 60 overs, a monumental effort from the seamers who bowled two-thirds of the overs in searing heat. The home side fortunately not missing the absent spin duo Callum Guest and George Darlow.

The in-form Matthew Hague lost his battle with Sudbury’s opener James Poulson with just 18 on the board. However, the solid Charlie Lewis and Leicestershire’s Rishi Patel then calmed the nerves by moving the score along to 74 for 1 at tea. The curse of the break in play struck when Lewis (33) was out to Vickery (1-22) in the opening over following tea. Any hopes of the visitors snatching a result were all but extinguished as Patel and Waqas Hussain then added 65 for the third wicket, in just a dozen overs. There was a slight hold up to the victory parade when Poulson (4-43) removed Patel, Ethan Guest and skipper Dan Heath as 140 for 2 became 166 for 5. The experienced Hussain then held it together with an unbeaten 43 (from 69) as he and Clilverd (6 not out) saw the home side home by 5 wickets and almost ninety balls to spare.

Elsewhere there were remarkable wins in low scoring matches for Frinton and Bury St. Edmunds, the latter clinging doggedly to the league leaders coat-tails. Cambridge scored a crushing victory over Horsford. Leaders Gt. Witchingham again showed why they are the team to beat as they chased down an impressive 277 at home to Saffron Walden. Any prediction of potential league title winners is getting more difficult following Swardeston’s third covid-19 postponement. The league may end being settled in October at this rate!

In the Cambs and Hunts Premier Three Sawston and Babraham strengthened their promotion and title hopes as they defeated Orton Park by seven wickets. In a clash between second and third Southill Park defeated the in-form Biggleswade to give the Rams a clear buffer at the top. They now lead Biggleswade by some 69 points and Southill Park by 74 points although the sides from Bedfordshire have two games and one game in hand respectively.

Orton Park won the toss and on a scorcher of a day decided to bat. They were given a steady start despite Nick Griggs (1-14) picking up and early wicket and moved to 36 for 1 before Scott Stanford struck. Stanford picking up 1-17 from nine miserly overs. Tom Champness (1-29) then picked up a third wicket dismissing Hamish Meichan before the introduction of the Rams leading wicket-taker Jake Raven (3-21 from 9) saw the end of opener Gareth Clingo’s (45 from 76 balls) vigil with the score on 68. Despite a defiant 35 from Tom Wilkin opening bowler Sean Jenkins (2-19) returned to pick up a brace, including Wilkin, and with Raven also picking up another two the home side lurched to 123 for 7. Ant Phillips then picked up two wickets before a direct hit run out from the ‘dead-eyed’ Stanford closed the innings on 131. The Sawston bowlers and fielders doing a fine job in 42 overs of hot work.

The Rams again started well, just failing to register their fifth hundred plus stand of this season when Skipper Ben Benson and Josh Jordan (29 from 79 balls) added 86 for the first wicket. The skipper scoring exactly 50 from 60 balls, meaning that he has scored 555 at an average of 62. Jordan followed a run later as Clive Evans (1-7) and Oliver Calpin (1-11) picked up wickets. Stanford followed at 104 for 3 as Charles (1-33) made an impact but Will Bailey (9 no) and Sawston’s finisher Ant Phillips (20 no from 11) ensured the Cambridgeshire side a table topping seven wicket win. Phillips although a good few runs behind Benson is second in the division’s standings with 363 and an average of 91! Jordan has joined the pair in the league’s top ten but would certainly be top of the balls faced league!

Just when you think the day cannot get any better the Rams fourths string pull off arguably the performance of the day to topple leaders Stapleford by one wicket in Division 5 West. Stapleford batted first and posted a challenging 193 all out, with the Sawston side giving the opposition 44 in extras. Dylan Bose (42), Kshitj Bisht (28) and Archie Rigby (26) being the main contributors. Teenager Henry Butler (2-27) and Naga Yanamendela (2-38) both picked up braces but the star bowler was third team captain, and wicket-keeper Jake Ellis who picked up 3-29. Youngsters Joe Latham and Jude Bedford both picked up a wicket.

In reply a couple of the teenagers underlined their promise and progress as Latham top scored with 42 and Bill Rimmell with 38 was the next highest scorer. Veteran Richard Molton added 22 and Ellis 33 before another Buter with 8 not out made sure the Rams got over the line for a stunning victory in the 33rd over.