Foxton returned to winning ways on their visit to struggling Nassington. After winning the toss and batting on a softish wicket their openers skipper Gareth Roots and Max Bowen found runs hard to come by against some determined tight bowling from Imran Kahn and Tom Norman. After 13 overs with the score at 24 Bowen tried to force matters and was caught by Daniel Robinson off the bowling of Kahn. He then dismissed Lawrence Farnum and on the same score Norman claimed Neneto Davis leaving them three down for just 28. Adam Webster at once made batting look much easier and seemed to have ample time to execute his shots. A fourth wicket stand of 32 with Roots began to ease the position until the latter was caught off Kahn for 32 (six fours). Rory O'Brooks became his fourth victim and along with the unfortunate run out of Tom Stone the innings was at the crossroads on 66-6 from 23 overs. Stands of 37 between Webster and Andrew Kealy (20) and 66 from Mark Ferrari (22) and the impressive Webster greatly eased Foxton's position at 169-8 after 46 overs. Webster was then the ninth wicket to fall to Ikhlaq for 64 (seven fours, one six) and was the backbone of Foxton's efforts. They were somewhat relieved to take tea with a final all out score of 178 from 47 overs. Kahn returned the good figures of 16-4-36-4 and Ikhlaq 3-25.

The Nassington innings opened in sensational fashion with opener Kahn taking two sixes from the first over. He continued in swashbuckling mood and after just 20 balls had 48 (three fours, five sixes) when he fell to a superb diving catch at mid off by Lionel Griffin from the newly introduced Ferrari. Number three Robinson then dropped anchor with the total at 57-2 after just nine overs. Alas for the hosts wickets then began to fall at regular intervals at the other end with Kealy and Ferrari running riot. Robinson was seventh out in the 20th over for 14 and was only the second batsman to reach double figures. The end quickly came as Kealy soon wrapped up matters and posted another fine return of 10.2-2-31-5 ably backed up by Ferrari with 7-5-7-4 to leave Nassington all out for 79 from 21.2 overs. Foxton were home by 99 runs and therefore claimed another maximum 25 points to maintain their good start to the first half of the season.
Next week the 1st XI face a stiff challenge when they visit Camden whilst the 2nd XI entertain Comberton I, and on Sunday Foxton take on local rivals Reed in round five of the Yorkshire Tea Village Cup.

Barry McCulloch - 23/06/2012