Promotion sealed for the 3s

Rams secure second prize of the season Jake Ellis steered his side into unchartered waters when the Sawston and Babraham 3rd XI won their third successive promotion and into CCA Junior 1 for the first time ever.

They went into their last game of the season, at home to very local rivals, Whittlesford, with a narrow two point lead over their NCI counterparts in third. Whittlesford won the toss and batted but they were soon in trouble as the in-form Mervyn Shaji (2-23) removed both openers. With Prashant Yadav being miserly at the other end (0-16) the visitors did well to recover as Clayton (19) and Mughal (17) took them to forty six for two. However, they then slipped to sixty-four for seven as Steven Atherton (2-22), Sean Jenkins (2-17), Matthew Day (1-23) and a Torin Phelps run out plunged the innings into critical. Williams (20) and Evans (20) then added thirty four before Williams became a second victim for Atherton. The Rams leading wicket-taker and skipper, Ellis, then closed the innings on 114 taking two wicket for just one run.

The Sawston reply didn’t go to plan, initially, as Oliver Borley, Gareth Everson (10) and Scott Barker (16) were all back in the Pavilion with just twenty-seven on the board. Ex-Ram Kumar Venigalla (1-12) and Williams (3-31) making the breakthroughs to give the visitors hope. Home nerves were settled as Joe Latham (37 no from 37 balls) and Jenkins (39 from 37) took the Rams to the verge of victory, and promotion, with a seventy-six run partnership before Williams dismissed Jenkins. Fittingly it was the skipper who hit the runs to take the Rams to a six wicket win inside twenty-four overs, they needed the win as NCI also won.

The Rams 1st XI survived a scare to record their ninth straight limited overs win in the EAPL and take their title defence into their last game of the season next week. Skipper Dan Heath again won the toss and opted to bat on what is usually an excellent surface at Witham. The home side were also missing their two opening bowlers. Heath must have been doubting his choice as the visitors found themselves at sixty-three for five at the end of the first powerplay. With Thain (13), Guest (24), Spears (5), Buck (17) and Moses out it was looking tricky. The Rams had opted for the all-round skills of Alex Stafford ahead of overseas Chris Dixon, following Dixon’s promising EAPL debut last week. With spinners Carl Bragg (3-54) and Greg Stephens (1-29) among the early wickets the Sawston side must also have been ruing Peter Hatzoglou absence. Hatzoglou was to make his Oval Invincibles debut later on Saturday evening, the Aussie having quite an introduction conceding five wides with his first ball but picking a wicket with his second. Long term teammates Stafford (28 from 60) and Ben Clilverd (24 off 56) then dug in move the score patiently along to one hundred and ten for five in the twenty-sixth over. Both batters reigning in their usual attacking instincts. However, Leroy Facey (3-60) then removed both in quick succession and Witham skipper Jake Wakelin (1-18) then dismissed Heath the Rams were again in deep trouble at 138 for 8 at the end of the thirty-sixth.

Bedfordshire pair George Darlow and Alex Evans came together knowing that they need to bat long to give the visitors something to bowl at. Evans confidence must have been good as he followed up a decent knock for the Rams last week with some excellent runs for Beds at the start of the week. The pair saw of the final overs from Bragg and Stephens before becoming more expansive as they added eighty valuable runs off seventy-nine balls. Evans falling just score of a deserved half-century at the start of the final over, his forty-six coming off just forty balls (five boundaries and two sixes). Darlow finishing unbeaten on forty-three from sixty-three balls (three fours and one six) to take the Rams to 228 for 9.

Evans (2-17) then started with the ball where he left off with the bat as he picked up two early wickets removing Essex’s Nick Browne and the dangerous Michael Godwin with just three on the board. Chris Huntington (35) and Kaan Hawes (35) then steadied the ship moving the score steadily onto sixty-two in the twentieth. The Rams then struck some vital blows as the home side lost Huntington, Wakelin and Cody McDonald for the addition of one run and in the space of seven balls. Nathan Buck (1-12) started the collapse before Callum Guest (2-39) picked up his first and a Luke Spears run out tore the heart out of the Witham middle order.

James Smith (12) joined Hawes taking the score to eighty-two. Any hopes of a match saving partnership were banished as the Rams again picked up a flurry of wickets. Smith, Facey and the defiant Hawes all going within five runs of each other in the space of sixteen balls. Guest picking up a second with Tim Moses (3-20) helping himself to a brace. Darlow (1-25) then had fellow spinner Bragg stumped by Heath before Tim Moses caught and bowled Stephens (14) to end the innings on 113. The Rams again displaying their skill and resilience to make it nine from nine with the pink ball and stay top.

Elsewhere a spirited Frinton got within touching distance of a big Mildenhall total. Sudbury and Great Witchingham defeated Copdock and Saffron Walden with Sudbury still in third but with Witchingham continuing their end of season charge. Swardeston had a comfortable victory over Norfolk rivals Horsford. The EAPL and its sponsors Read Brothers must be delighted to see the title race go down to the final week. At the other end of the table just five points separate the bottom four, however second from bottom Witham have played an extra game.

The Club’s 2nd XI season continued to fizzle out. The side was missing a few to ensure that the thirds had the resources they required. And they were certainly demob happy as they drew lots for the batting order. Ben Benson (38 from 32) who opened with his father, Robert, borrowed from the fourths was the only batsman that threatened to post a score. There were starts for Marc Pearson (19) and Chris Dixon (15) but the home side wee skittled for 130. There were four wickets for Southill Park’s Pratyush Ramesh (4-25) and two for Adnan Bashir (2-11). Tea, where a sit down tea was provided by Louise and Sue, was followed by the formal opening of the Club’s new scorebox and its dedication to the Club’s late scorer Ann Pryor. The official opening was delayed until this late in the season as it was fitting to name it after Ann in a game featuring the two sides she served so well and was equally proud off Sawston and Southill Park. Ann’s husband, son and grandson were on hand for the unveiling of the name plaque. After tea Southill Park, who had guaranteed themselves promotion to Whiting’s One by taking four wickets comfortably chased the 130 for the loss of four wickets.

The home side were briefly in the game at twenty-nine for three but Ben Wallis (40 no) and Ramesh (34 not out) saw the visitors home to their third successive promotion. The Ram’s 4th string also completed their season with a disappointing defeat at local rivals Whittlesford II’s. Once again runs proved difficult to come by and they were bowled out for 127. The home side knocking off the runs for the loss of two wickets. The match featured the likely retirement of Whittlesford ‘s former Cambridgeshire batsman David Baker and the Rams left arm legend Stephen Summerlin (who also served Whitzer with distinction earlier in his career).