ST. IVES 1ST XI 185 (46.3 overs) FOXTON 119 (31.3 overs)

Foxton tasted defeat again in their second match of the new season at St. Ives. Winning the toss and inviting the hosts to bat their opening bowlers Jeffery Douglas and Max Bowen struggled to make a breakthrough and openers Tom Beale (58) and Reuan Williams (22) racked up a 72 run stand. The introduction of Mark Ferrari (2-25) and Antonnel Atwell (3-47) stemmed the run flow and wickets began to fall at regular intervals. Home skipper Steve Smith (25) and Bevis Moynan (19) managed to stage a recovery but aided by sharp fielding, three run outs and two late wickets for Douglas (2-26) Foxton felt fairly satisfied to dismiss the home side for 185 from 46.3 overs.

Hopes of a victory soon evaporated with the fall of two wickets in the first over to spinner Ryan Withers, and from herein they were always struggling. Workmanlike knocks from Peter Moor (40), Bowen (33) and Tyler Deas (28 not out) managed to regain a modicum of respectability, but a superb unchanged spell from opening medium pacer Moynan (15.3-3-45-8) thwarted their hopes and a final total of 119 saw them soundly beaten by 66 runs.

Foxton will be hoping for an improvement next week with their first home fixture against Nassington.

Barry McCulloch - 02/05/2011