CRICKET: Wonderful West, fantastic Freear, fabulous Freedman

Last season’s skipper is revelling personally now that he has less team responsibility and yesterday he cracked his second successive score in the 70s to ease ‘The Rams’ to an impressive seven-wicket win over Nassington in a high-scoring clash at Cricketfield Lane.

Nassington set the home side what looked like a formidable 50-over target of 226-9, but West (7ono) added 88 in an unbroken fourth-wicket stand with Ollie Stevens (43no) as Ramsey sped home with over 10 overs to spare. Everyone who batted for Ramsey contributed well with brothers Jordan (42) and Michael Cafferkey (36), as well as opener James Markland (22), all in decent nick.

Ramsey’s victory overshadowed an impressive debut for Nassington by Australian signing Adam McDermott. McDermott craked three sixes and eight fours in his 77-ball 80. Dan Bandaranaike (32) offered him most support as Elliott Cafferket (3-39) impressed with the ball.

Ramsey have won both of their opening Division One games, but sit third behind Eaton Socon and Wisbech who have enjoyed similar starts. Newly-promoted Socon are a point clear of Wisbech after sneaking home by three wickets in a low-scoring clash at Ketton.

Josh Gallimore top scored with 25 in Ketton’s 102 all out.

Wisbech thrashed Burwell seconds by 176 runs as club legend Gary Freear blasted 106, a knock that included 14 fours and a six, and Aussie Jack Hargreaves made exactly 50. They added 114 for the fourth wicket as Wisbech piled up 306-9 in their 50 overs.

Freaar (2-0) also shone with the ball, while Jamie Gollands (40 from 38 balls, three sixes & 3-7) enjoyed a fine all-round day as Burwell were skittled for 130.

In Division Two there was a first-ever Cambs League win for Ufford Park who triumphed by eight wickets at Weston Colville.

Wickets were shared around as the home side laboured to 162-9, a total Ufford Park made light work of despite the problems caused by a wet pitch. Skipper Andy Larkin struck 66 and was well supported by Tas Ahmed (41) and Ross Keymer (28).

March Town are joint-top with Kimbolton as they set out on their quest for an immediate return to the top flight.

Three-wicket hauls for old skipper Chris Ringham and current captain Tyler Phillips helped bowl Huntingdon out for 128 at Burrowmoor Road, a total made to look inadequate by Aussie Sam Freedman who smacked 75 in a five-wicket home win. Freedman also took two wickets.

Newborough were beaten by 53 runs at Warboys despite scorching to 106-2 in 16 overs in reply to the home side’s 237. David Cooper (51) top scored for ‘The Bulls’. Australian recruit Kyeran Ellery claimed two Warboys’ wickets with his leg-spin.

RESULTS

Division One

BURWELL 2nds lost to WISBECH by 176 runs

Wisbech 306-9 (G. Freear 105, J. Hargreaves 50, J. Gollands 40,

Burwell 130 (P. Redfearn 32, J. Gollands 3-7, G. Freear 2-0, S. Rippington 2-27, S. Mutubaki 2-44).

KETTON lost to EATON SOCON by 3 wkts

Ketton 102 (J. Gallimore 25).

Eaton Socon 103-7

RAMSEY beat NASSINGTON by 7 wkts

Nassington 226-9 (A. McDermott 80, D. Bandarnaike 32, J. Pope 21, E. Cafferkey 3-39, B. Mills 2-34).

Ramsey 230-3 (T. West 70no, O. Stevens 43no, J. Cafferkey 42, M. Cafferkey 36, J. Markland 22).

Division Two

MARCH beat HUNTINGDON by 5 wkts

Huntingdon 128 (C. Ringham 3-17, T. Phillips 3-32, S. Freedman 2-30).

March 129-5 (S. Freedman 75, T. Howgego 31).

NEWBOROUGH lost to WARBOYS by 53 runs

Warboys 237 (A. Hyde 47, A. Fahey 40, D. Stratton 2-31, K. Ellery 2-34, A. Greenwood 2-42).

Newborough 184 (D. Cooper 51, V. Parvathaneni 38, S. McCracken 28, M. Lavender 3-31).

WESTON COLVILLE lost to UFFORD PARK by 8 wkts

Weston Colville 162-9.

Ufford Park 163-2 (A. Larkin 66, T. Ahmed 41, R. Keymer 29).