TUCKER GARDNER PREMIER DIV. 1

Wisbech 1st XI 163 (43.4 overs) Foxton 1st XI 170 (43.3 overs)

A second win this season over Wisbech, this time by the narrow margin of just seven runs, enabled Foxton to slightly close the gap on leaders March. Losing the toss and batting first with conditions again, as last week, assisting bowlers openers Antonnel Atwell and Cei Sanderson made light of this and decided to take a positive approach against the bowling of Tom Bourne and Ben Allsop. After just 15 overs they had 80 on the board, the majority of which were boundaries. The game then altered dramatically with a double bowling change, Drew Jones after an opening maiden bowled Atwell for 36 (seven fours) and two balls later had Lawrence Farnum caught by Henry Rosier. At the other end Brad Apted also struck in his second over to bowl visiting skipper Peter Moor, and repeated this in his fifth, to dismiss Adam Webster and leave Foxton at 103-4 after 23 overs. A brisk 20 from Jeffery Douglas, consisting of just four scoring shots, improved the position, but, going for another boundary he was then bowled by recently introduced spinner Craig Johnson. Opener Sanderson still remained, and was playing his best league innings this season until falling to Johnson, bowled for 56 (seven fours, three sixes). With an all spin attack of Johnson and Gary Freear now in operation the Foxton tail were struggling, and after 43.3 overs they were all out for a disappointing 170 considering the bright start they had made. Wisbech top bowlers were Gary Freear 3-26 and Johnson 3-29.

With a below par total to defend Foxton required early wickets, and Douglas duly obliged as he claimed both openers Ivan Burgess and Carl Pope in his first three overs. Further success followed in his sixth with Rosier being caught by Atwell. Wisbech main hopes now rested with Gary Freear, who was looking very strong, notching several boundaries. A misunderstanding over a second run then saw him run out for 42 (eight fours) to leave the game in the balance with Wisbech on 71-4 after 14 overs. David Wood was playing solidly, but was unable to find partners, and when he fell to Tom Stone, caught by Atwell for a well played 28 together with three other cheap wickets Wisbech's hopes had all but disappeared at 121-8. Numbers nine and ten Johnson and Jones had other ideas and with a stand of 38 they took the hosts to within 12 runs of victory. Jones was then caught behind by Moor for 15 off Atwell to leave Wisbech at 159-9 needing 12 from the final wicket. Stone bowling one of his best spells this season then had the final word as he caught and bowled Johnson for 19 to leave Wisbech seven runs short as he claimed 10.4-4-14-4. Foxton's other wicket takers were Douglas with three and Atwell with a couple in a hard fought exciting game.
The second XI lost by seven wickets at home to Sawston III.
Next week Foxton 1st XI are at home to Ickwell whilst the 2nd XI travel to Ashdon.