TUCKER GARDNER PREMIER DIV. 1

Foxton 179 (46 overs) Camden 171 (48.1 overs)

Tucker Gardner champions Foxton finished their season in a positive fashion at home with a narrow eight run win over Camden. Winning the toss and electing to bat on another good cricket wicket their top batsmen appeared to still be hung over from the previous weekend celebrations as after 16 overs they were in deep trouble on 32-5, openers Will Wright and skipper Gareth Roots, along with Chris Pepper, Max Bowen and Ian Cambridge had all been dismissed cheaply to the visitors opening bowling attack, with three victims claimed by makeshift bowler visiting captain Alex Mutucumarana bagging three with two for Phil Edwards. Thankfully number three Adam Webster still remained and was then joined by second teamer Lionel Griffin making a rare first team appearance. He at once went on the offensive with some hard hitting and a sixth wicket stand of 81 greatly improved the hosts position. After 28 overs Webster was caught in the deep by Keith Vincent to spinner Ali Khan for a stylish knock of 37 (seven fours) to leave Foxton on 113-6. Tom Stone then followed shortly from a yorker by slow bowler Vincent. Andrew Kealy then joined Griffin in an eighth wicket partnership of 32 which began to spare Foxton's blushes, pushing them on to 145, in the 36th over Griffin fell to Vincent caught by Edwards for an entertaining knock of 59 from 58 balls (seven fours, two sixes). Stands of 20 and 14 between Kealy (24) well supported by Tyler Deas and Mark Ferrari saw Foxton finally dismissed for 179 from 46 overs proving again it's a big advantage to have batting strength in depth. Camden's top bowlers were Mutucumarana 4-37 and Edwards 3-46. Foxton took tea relieved at their total but with the feeling it was short of par by 40-50 runs.

The Camden innings was then opened by the experienced veteran Nigel Gadsby, who during the break had presented Foxton with the league trophy whilst adding some very complimentary remarks, and Nick Wells. In the ninth over Deas bowled Wells (11), whilst at the other end fellow strike bowler Kealy had two or three very confident shouts for l.b.w. turned down. A best of the innings stand of 53 between Gadsby and Mutucumarana then saw the visitors advance to 69 when the latter was caught in the deep by Webster with a fine catch from Stone's fourth over for 31. A repeat fielding and bowling effort by these two then saw the departure of Gadsby for a watchful 36 from 93 balls to leave the visitors still in a strong position on 99-3 after 30 overs. Solid efforts from Will Sutton (18), Vincent (13) and Dipanjan Basu (13) advanced the Camden total after 44 overs to 158-6, Stone at this time was in the middle of an excellent spell claiming five wickets. With a weak tail now exposed the visitors hopes hung on the efforts of 'keeper James Heywood trying to farm the strike. An unfortunate run out along with two victims for Webster from seven balls then saw Camden fall just eight runs short. Heywood with a resilient 31 was last out from a full toss and it was very fitting that the last catch of the season was taken by Kealy, this being another Stone scalp who finished with an outstanding effort of 16-3-68-6.

Another maximum 25 points left Foxton in top spot with a final tally of 360 points followed by Sawston on 306 and Wisbech 297.

With most of the Foxton squad staying together for next season along with 2-3 additions hopes are high of a title defence.

Barry McCulloch - 17/09/2012