TUCKER GARDNER PREMIER DIV. 1

Khalsa 136 (43.2 overs) Foxton 137-0 (28.3 overs)

Foxton strolled to an emphatic ten wicket win away to bottom club Khalsa in their latest Tucker Gardner Premier Div. 1 fixture. The hosts won the toss and chose to bat on a firm surface with a greenish tinge. Andrew Kealy opened the bowling for the visitors and tasted immediate success with his second ball, sensationally assisted by a spectacular diving catch by skipper Gareth Roots in the covers to dismiss opener T. Ahmed. Fellow opening bowler Tyler Deas then went one better trapping the other opening batsman F. Javed caught behind by James Clarke with his very first ball. Two further strikes for Kealy had Khalsa reeling at 30-4 after 11 overs. Then followed a respite for Khalsa in a fortuitous stand of 51 between W. Shazad and K. Singh, riding their luck by missing the fielders with airborne shots on numerous occasions, also helped by a couple of dropped chances from Foxton. Their luck eventually ran out when spinner Tom Stone had Singh caught by Max Bowen, who also bowled seven economical overs for only 13 runs, for 25 to leave the hosts on 81-5 after 27 overs. Shazad went on to complete fifty but could not find any willing partners and with Mark Ferrari claiming three tail enders in nine balls Khalsa subsided to an all out total of 136 from 43.2 overs. Top visitors bowlers were Ferrari 3-25, Kealy 3-41 and Stone 2-32.

Following tea captain Roots and Tom Dann set about their task with some very sensible batting taking few chances whilst keeping the majority of their scoring shots on the ground. It became a thankless task for the six bowlers Khalsa used and after just an hour and a half Foxton had attained their target in just 28.3 overs, and Roots remained 63 not out with Dann gaining in confidence with every shot on 55 not out. The 20 points earned assured Foxton remained at the top of the table.

The 2nd XI also won beating Saffron Walden IV at Foxton by six wickets.
Next week the 1st team entertain March whilst the seconds visit Audley End & Littlebury, and on Sunday Foxton I will play a rearranged match at home against Reach in the Yorkshire Tea Village Cup.

Barry McCulloch - 02/06/2012