Foxton maintained their top of the table position by comprehensively beating March by 111 runs at home on Saturday and claimed another maximum 25 points. The visitors won the toss and decided to insert their hosts on a dampish wicket with a surprisingly quick outfield. All credit and praise must be offered to Matty Gray for his tireless efforts in preparing the ground to such a high standard in very adverse weather conditions endured in the last week, when the sun did put in brief appearances one would never have known we have had a wet week. Foxton were unsurprisingly soon in trouble in the early exchanges with the March skipper Chris Ringham and Tyler Phillips extracting the maximum assistance from the surface, and after six overs openers Gareth Roots and James Clark along with number four Rory O'Brooks were back in the pavilion with only 22 on the board. Young Chris Pepper then joined Lawrence Farnham and at once began to repair the damage with a fourth wicket stand of 64. The latter was looking well set for a big score when he was adjudged l.b.w. to recently introduced spinner James Harradine, the third victim of the four wickets to have fallen given out in this fashion. Farnham was playing very solidly whilst severely punishing the loose ball and his attractive 46 contained six fours and two sixes. Pepper then took over the main bulk of the scoring whilst Tyler Deas played the anchor role, and they further improved Foxton's position with a stand of 43. Deas (15) then became the fourth player trapped l.b.w. this time to overseas player Ryan Meyer and with his very next ball he bowled Ada Cambridge, making a rare first team appearance, with a slower one, and the home side innings was again in the balance at 128-6 after 33 overs. Pepper had in this time looked totally untroubled on 40 not out and with Tom Stone now joining him, and at once going for his shots, they accelerated the scoring rate with an exciting stand of 61. Stone was then run out going for a quick single for a hard hitting 44 (five fours, one six) and at the conclusion of their allotted 48 overs Pepper, who was the home sides backbone remained 64 not out (eight fours) and Foxton were more than satisfied with 202-7. Harradine completed his 16 overs for only 29 runs and along with two wickets each for Ringham and Meyer were March's top bowlers.

Following tea Andrew Kealy struck in his second over having opener Carl Chapman caught behind by O'Brooks, but a stubborn second wicket stand of 29 between Tom Howgego and Meyer began to bring March into the game. The introduction of Pepper after 12 overs saw him dismiss these two in his first three overs for 16 apiece and left the visitors on 47-3 after 16 overs. Matthew Vail launched a counter attack with 22 (three fours, one six) but with his dismissal caught by Deas off the spin of Stone March began playing for the draw in the 26th over with their total showing 70-4. The latter then began to shine using the cross wind and varying his flight and quickly claimed another two scalps in his next nine balls. Foxton remained patient for several overs as March continued their stubborn defence, but the door began to open with Kealy's second spell from the opposite end when bowling Steve Hinson. Stone then weighed in with strikes in his ninth and tenth overs to post the impressive return of 10-5-11-5. It was left to Kealy to wrap up proceedings as he yorked visiting 'keeper John Gilson with the last ball of the 43rd over and notched the hosts fifth win in the last six matches. Kealy finished with 3-32 and Pepper 2-12.

The second XI went down by 71 runs at Audley End.

On Sunday Foxton beat their visitors Reach by 174 runs in the Yorkshire Tea Village Cup and next Sunday play in the regional final away to Fordham. Highlights of this match was 101 not out from captain Gareth Roots backed up by 75 from James Clarke.

Next Saturday the first XI entertain St. Ives in the league whilst the seconds are without a fixture.

Barry McCulloch - 10/06/2012