PERSIMMON VILLAGE CUP - AREA SEMI-FINAL

Kimbolton 185-9 (40 overs) Foxton 170-9 (40 overs)

Foxton fielded a much weakened side in this match due to regulations and absentees, with only five regular first teamers available. Nonetheless they put up a resilient display and but for home player Chris Gilthorpe, excelling with both bat and ball, they may have made it to the final. Kimbolton won the toss and batted first but lost wickets at regular intervals. Useful contributions from opener James Biddle (25) and Robert Lightfoot (22) helped to build their total, but the chief run maker was Gilthorpe with a hard hit 61 containing five fours and three sixes enabling them to finally total 185-9 from their allotted 40 overs. Tim Lee with 3-28 and Mark Ferrari 3-42 were the best bowlers for the visitors.

Foxton suffered a double blow early on with the loss of Antonnel Atwell and skipper Lawrence Farnum fresh from his hundred the previous day. Their hopes now rested with back from injury Cei Sanderson and Mark Ferrari, and they put in a brave effort with a partnership of 69, had they remained for a few more overs the target may have been obtained, but the fall of these two, Sanderson 56 and Ferrari for 32, exposed the long tail of youngsters and veterans and the home sides man of the match Gilthorpe claimed three late wickets to scupper Foxton's hopes of a final appearance and left them 15 runs short. With more players qualifying next year they have hopes of reaching the final stages of this trophy.