TUCKER GARDNER PREMIER DIV. 1

Saffron Walden II 49-2 (13 overs) Foxton 201-8 (48 overs)

Persistent rain an hour after tea caused the abandonment and spoiled what promised to be an entertaining finish in Foxton's first Tucker Gardner Premier Div. 1 league fixture away at Saffron Walden II's.

After losing the toss and being invited to bat Foxton lost Max Bowen in the first over bowled by Ashley Garrod without troubling the scorers. Skipper Gareth Roots was then joined by Lawrence Farnum and they steadily set about repairing the damage. After 12 overs they had pushed the total to 56-1. The introduction of spinners Steve Atherton and later Devon Pilkington put an immediate brake on the run rate and the latter then made a breakthrough having Roots caught for 26. Farnum followed shortly afterwards when looking in good touch caught by James Read off Pilkington for a useful 44 (eight fours). Foxton then lost Adam Webster and James Clarke both to Pilkington and were suddenly struggling at 110-5 after 30 overs. With plenty of batting remaining they stayed calm and a useful knock of 24 from young Chris Pepper began a fightback and after his dismissal, bowled by Atherton, it was left to Andrew Kealy, Foxton's new Australian all rounder, together with the in form Tyler Deas to push the visitors towards a competitive total. This they achieved with a brisk stand of 58. Kealy was then dismissed with three overs remaining going for runs for a well played 38, another victim for young spinner Pilkington, making his debut for the second eleven. Deas continued to play solidly and at the conclusion of the innings remained on 27 not out to see his side attain the useful total of 201-8. The outstanding bowler of the match was Pilkington with 16-0-69-5, ably backed up by Atherton also bowling unchanged for 16 overs with a very economical 1-37.

After tea the hosts were soon in trouble losing Jamie White l.b.w. to Kealy and James Read caught behind by Sharne Grant off Deas and were tottering at 5-2 after just four overs. Steve Livermore batting at four looked very stylish in compiling 29 not out, and supported by opener Alex Morley 14 not out, pushed the score to 49-2 after 13 overs but, with the match in the balance heavy rain put paid to both sides hopes and they had to be content with bonus points, but with all other matches in the league failing to start it was some form of consolation.

Next week Foxton visit Godmanchester.

Barry McCulloch - 21/04/2012