CAMBS LEAGUE: Rams remain perfect, Fenmen flop, Crows flying high

Danny Haynes made 64 for Wisbech against Eaton Socon.

While ‘The Rams’ were cruising to a 64-run win over Blunham yesterday (May 14), previous leaders Wisbech were beaten for the first time this summer by newly-promoted Eaton Socon. Saffron Walden, who beat reigning champions Godmanchester, are the other team with four wins from four games.

Summer recruit from Nassington Kasim Ikhlaq (62) top scored in Ramsey’s 263-8, receiving decent support from Blake Mills (43) and skipper Michael Cafferkey (37).

Captain Cafferkey also picked up a couple of wickets as Blunham were also held below the required run rate. Mark Edwards (3-35) was the most successful bowler as the visitors to Cricketfield Lane were dismissed for 199.

Tommu Howgego scored 96 for March at Newborough.

Many good judges believe Eaton Socon will be title contenders in their first season in the top flight and they announced their intentions with an excellent 68-run win over Wisbech.

Skipper Jonny Carpenter’s ton pushed Eaton Socon up to 268-5 in their 50 overs, but victory was far from assured as Wisbech have been in free-scoring form this summer.

And the Fenmen started well with Danny Haynes (64) and Josh Bowers (39) in good touch, but once Ben Gowling (5-29) got into his stride the home side eased to victory.

Wisbech did reach 200 for the fourth match in a row, but they got no further and slipped to fourth in the table.

Nassington are sixth after winning a thriller by one wicket at Foxton.

Nassington looked set to win comfortably after reaching 106-2 chasing the home side’s 198-9. Alex Laud delivered his second score of 84 on the bounce and Tom Norman (34) continued his fine start to the season, but Dan Bandaranaike (22no) had to play well to see Nassington home in the company of last man William De Capell Brooke. They came together with three needed to win.

There was no such excitement for Ketton who posted a decent score of 223-8, but still lost by 10 wickets at Histon.

Shakir Mahmood (55) top scored for Ketton, but his innings was made to look inadequate by Histon opener Joe Crame who finished unbeaten on a run-a-ball 133 (18 fours, 5 sixes) as his side won with nine overs to spare. Ketton are now next to bottom.

March Crows appear determined to get back to Division One at the first attempt. They made it three Division Two wins out of four with a four-wicket success at Newborough.

Tommy Howgego’s 96 set March on the way to passing Newborough’s 185 all-out. Sam Barlow’s three wickets arrived too late to make a difference to the outcome.

Uffod Park endured a day to forget at St Ives, slumping to 111 all out and a seven-wicket defeat.

RESULTS

Division One

EATON SOCON beat WISBECH by 68 runs

Eaton Socon 268-5 (J. Carpenter 107, T. Banks 41, B. Apted 2-36, P. Edgeller 2-52).

Wisbech 200 (D. Haynes 64, J. Bowers 39, G. Freear 23, B. Gowling 5-29).

FOXTON lost to NASSINGTON by 1 wkt

Foxton 198-9 (A. Hooley 109no, T. Norman 4-33, A. McDermott 2-34).

Nassington 201-9 (A. Laud 86, T. Norman 34, D. Bandaranaike 22no, J. Coleman 4-45).

HISTON beat KETTON by 10 wkts

Ketton 223-8 (S. Mahmood 55, P. Rowe 39, A. Rodgers 37, Z. Manzoor 30, W. McElroy 3-48).

Histon 227-0 (J. Crame 133no, R. Daynes 79no).

RAMSEY beat BLUNHAM by 64 runs

Ramsey 263-8 (K. Ikhlaq 62, B. Mills 43, M. Cafferkey 37, J. Cade 23no).

Blunham 199 (M. Edwards 3-25, M. Cafferkey 2-36).

Division Two

NEWBOROUGH lost to MARCH by 4 wkts

Newborough 185 (G. Rowland 37, D. Stratton 29, S. Barlow 22, K. Ellery 22, T. Nulty 3-30, J. Harradibe 3-30, A. Palmer 2-26).

March 186-6 (T. Howgego 96, T. Nulty 34, S. Barlow 3-23).

ST IVES beat UFFORD PARK by 7 wkts

Ufford Park 111 (T. Ahmed 17).

St Ives 112-3 (T. McCarthy 58no).