NATIONAL CRICKET CLUB KO CUP: Clarke sees Town home, remarkable fight-back from Ramsey

David Clarke scored 69 not out against Leighton Buzzard.

Skipper David Clarke led from the front, batting throughout the Town innings of 168-5 for 69 as his side eased home by five wickets against Beds League side Leighton Buzzard.

Teenager Danny Mohammed (25) and wicket-keeper Chris Milner (20) also made useful contributions after Town had lost a couple of early wickets.

Balaji Ganesan (3-30) was the pick of the Town bowlers. Mohammed and Farhan Adil collected two wickets apiece, while there were also wickets for Jamie Smith and Danny Oldham.

Taylor West delivered an outstanding display for Ramsey against Great Witchingham.

Town now host Leicestershire League side Market Harborough in the second round on May 8 when their Minor Counties stars will be available.

Ramsey are also through to the second round after a remarkable come back againt Norfolk-based Great Witchingham.

The visitors to Cricketfield Lane were 141-0 chasing 184, but collapsed against the medium-quick seamers of Ramsey skipper Michael Cafferkey (6-40) and the off-spin of Taylor West (3-18) to finish 10 runs shy of their hosts’ 184.

Cafferkey was delighted with the performance of teenager Mark Saunders - he is 15 today (April 25) - as he made a crucial unbeaten 17 batting at number eight and bowled nine overs of leg-spin which yielded just 31 runs and a couple of dropped catches.

It gets even tougher for Ramsey now through who travel to crack East Anglian Premier Division side Swardeston in the second round.

Scores

Leighton Buzzard 164 (B. Ganesan 3-30, F. Adil 2-22, D. Mohammed 2-28).

Peterborough Town 168-5 (D. Clarke 69no, D. Mohammed 25, C. Milner 20).

Ramsey 184 (T. West 46).

Great Witchingham 174-9 (M. Cafferkey 6-40, T. West 3-18).