Fielding a much depleted line up Foxton, missing four regulars, put in a plucky performance away to Camden and went down by just 27 runs, and were also within ten balls of earning a draw. The hosts were giving a debut to all-rounder Chris Wright, who is leading wicket taker for Warwickshire this season in first class cricket, and this was to prove the difference between the sides as he put in a man of the match performance. Foxton plight was worsened further as they lost their main strike bowler Andrew Kealy after bowling just nine balls to an ankle injury. Tyler Deas operating from the other end more than made up for this using the conditions to assist his swing bowling. He dismissed openers Gadsby and Sutton along with home skipper Mutucumarana in his first four overs to leave Camden beginning to struggle at 15-3. Wright then joined Vincent, but they continued to toil against Deas and Mark Ferrari's medium pace. A rain break of 20 minutes and the appearance of the sun then changed the complexion of the match. Bowling with a now wet ball and the absence of any swing the Camden pair at once began to feel more at ease. They then produced a fourth wicket stand of 121 until Deas, returning for a second spell bowled Wright for 57 (nine fours) leaving Vincent not out on the same score and the hosts total on 136-4 after 36 overs. Deas then had further successes claiming Wells and Heywood to post his best return of the season with 16-2-53-6, he was well backed by Ferrari bowling 13 overs at less than three an over. Vincent was then seventh out caught by Ferrari from the bowling of Max Bowen for a very well played 87 (ten fours), and on the completion of their allotted 48 overs the home sides score, aided by some slack fielding and loose bowling from the visitors had reached 203-7.

Following the resumption Walker-Smith soon trapped James Clarke l.b.w. in only his second over and this brought in Lawrence Farnum to join Bowen. Facing the pace of county player Wright they looked very comfortable in accumulating a second wicket stand of 58 until Bowen was unfortunately run out for 20. Adam Webster then, as last week, continued to make batting look easy joining Farnum in a third wicket stand of 30 until the latter had an unlucky top edge and was caught and bowled by Wright for 48 (nine fours) to leave Foxton on 97-3 after 26 overs. Taking advantage of the weakened batting line up Wright then claimed Rory O'Brooks and acting skipper Tom Stone, batting up the order, without troubling the scorers and Foxton were tottering on 104-5 after 28 overs. A sixth wicket stand of 42 between the impressive Webster and Kealy then began to renew their prospects until Vincent claimed Webster for 52 (eight fours), and the match was again in the balance with Foxton on 146-6 after 38 overs. A bright knock by Ferrari of 21 from 33 balls still kept hopes alive of a result until he received arguably one of the best balls of the afternoon from Wright to be clean bowled. The paceman then took full toll of the weakened tail and quickly wrapped up matters to post a final return of 6-49, it was felt he was the vital difference between Camden and an under strength Foxton, but the plucky display had left the visitors just ten balls from safety. The eight bonus points earned kept them at the head of the table at the half way point of the league campaign and with the large majority of matches at home and players returning for the second half they remain hopeful.
The second team notched a good home win against Comberton by seven wickets.
Next week Foxton I entertain Saffron Walden II and the second IX visit Saffron Walden III.
Following the home match next Saturday there is a RACE NIGHT in the village hall, it is hoped all players of the club and supporters will be in attendance.

Barry McCulloch - 02/07/2012