CAMBS LEAGUE: Ramsey remain top despite heavy defeat, mighty Manzoor innings in vain for Ketton
The Rams were crushed by 132 runs thanks chiefly to the efforts of Cambs Minor Counties stars of the past and present. Giles Ecclestone’s brilliant 120 not out from 88 balls helped Walden to an imposing 50-over score of 278-5 before pace bowler Joe Barrs (4-31) ensured the home side were never likely to get close in reply.
Ramsey remain four points clear at the top with Nassington third, a further point away, despite a shock one-wicket loss at home to struggling Waresley.
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Hide AdWaresley scrambled home, on one of many difficult surfaces on display yesterday, in the final over after fighting off a superb spell of bowling from Dan Bandaranaike (5-12). Bandaranaike also made 26 of Nassington’s 150 all out.
That result was bad news for Ketton who slipped back into the relegation zone following a first defeat in three matches.
Ketton also lost an important toss, but some huge hitting by Zeeshan Manzoor almost lifted them out of the mire.
Ketton were 40-4 when Manzoor strode the crease to smash five sixes and seven fours in a 46-ball innings of 73, but his side’s final score of 172 still proved inadequate.
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Hide AdWisbech are on a slide down the table which continued with a six-wicket reverse at home to Histon. The Harecroft Road playing surface drew some criticism after a Minor Counties Championship clash there last week and the home side suffered on it yesterday, struggling to 83 all out in 39 overs.
When free-scoring Gary Freear takes 56 balls to score seven, it’s probably fair to say the track was tricky.
In Division Two, March Town’s title hopes were knocked by a four-wicket defeat at Saffron Walden seconds. Skipper Tyler Phillips (25) top scored in his side’s 140, but March are now second three points behind leaders St Ives.
Ufford Park and Newborough look set to become embroiled in a season-long relegation scrap, but there was joy for the former yesterday as they beat early season pacesetters Warboys by five wickets.
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Hide AdTanvir Hussain and Paul Bentley both took three wickets as Warboys were shot out for 111. In-form Ross Keymer smacked 46 of Ufford’s successful reply.
Newborough looked certain to win at half-time after dismissing Fordham for just 107, but their batsmen let the side down, making just 73 in reply.
That was harsh on Vamshi Parvathaneni (4-11) and Kyren Ellery (4-25) who bowled well for Newborough.
RESULTS
Division One
KETTON lost to FOXTON by 5 wkts
Ketton 172 (Z. Manzoor 72, J. MIller 21, U. Van Duyker 20).
Foxton 175-5 (A. Hooley 59, C. Sanderson 46).
NASSINGTON lost to WARESLEY by 1 wkt
Nassington 150 (A. McDermott 42, D. Bandaranaike 26no, H. Craig 22, C. Chauhan 3-19, T. Baker 3-20).
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Hide AdWaresley 154-9 (I. Donald 53, J. Allcock 29no, S. Johnson 27, D. Bandaranaike 5-12, T. Norman 3-36).
RAMSEY lost to SAFFRON WALDEN by 132 runs
Saffron Walden 278-5 (G. Ecclestone 120no, A. Smith 89, M. Cafferkey 2-55).
Ramsey 146 (O. Stevens 35, E. Cafferkey 34, B. Waring 4-22, J. Barrs 4-31).
WISBECH lost to HISTON by 6 wkts
Wisbech 83 (S. Rippington 23, J. Hargreaves 22, B. Leach 4-12, A. Sears 3-30, J. Lawrence 2-21).
Histon 86-4 (J. Mynott 27no).
Division Two
FORDHAM beat NEWBOROUGH by 34 runs
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Hide AdFordham 107 (T. Williams 66, V. Parvatheneni 4-11, K. Ellery 4-25).
Newborough 73 (A. Gilbert 23no).
SAFFRON WALDEN 2nds beat MARCH by 4 wkts
March 140 (T. Phillips 25, T. Nulty 21, N. Odedra 4-23).
Saffron Walden 141-6 (M. Turner 40, A. Wright 2-11).
WARBOYS lost to UFFORD PARK by 5 wkts
Warboys 111 (T. Hussain 3-12, P. Bentley 3-32).
Ufford Park 112-5 (R. Keymer 46, W. Javed 20no).