Foxton Granta CC News story


SWANNELL WINS IT FOR ST. IVES

16 Jun 2013

TUCKER GARDNER PREMIER DIV. 1

Foxton 137 (41.5 overs)  St. Ives 98-4 (26 overs)
(After a 70 minute rain break the St. Ives revised total required was 98 from 34 overs conceding 2 wickets)

Winning the toss and electing to bat in their away fixture at St. Ives Foxton lost Cei Sanderson l.b.w. in Paul Swannell's first over. Henry Hunter (25) and acting skipper Adam Webster (17) then set about repairing the damage with a second wicket stand of 36. Both then fell in Swannell's impressive opening spell to leave the visitors on 47-3 after 17 overs. The introduction of spinner Ryan Withers by the hosts after seven overs had assisted in putting a further brake on Foxton's scoring rate. A 70 minute interruption after 23 overs for rain during which tea was also taken resulted in 20 overs taken from the match. At the resumption Tom Sherwin batting at number five was looking very solid but his partner Jeffrey Douglas (10) was then unfortunately run out attempting a third run. Runs continued to remain at a premium but a sixth wicket stand of 35 between Sherwin and Andrew Kealy then pushed Foxton to 109-5 after 35 overs when Kealy (24)was caught behind by Rob Smith, Swannell's fourth victim. An under strength Foxton, missing four regulars, and fielding a long tail then limped to a final all out total of a below par 137. Sherwin with a patient 30 from 57 balls was the backbone of the middle order. Swannell capped a splendid bowling performance bagging the last wicket to fall to finish with 5-30 ably backed up by Withers with 1-35 from 16 overs.
St. Ives on beginning their innings after the umpires calculations were then required to score 98 from 34 overs conceding two wickets. Foxton's hopes were immediately raised as Douglas with a lively opening spell bagged two victims and together with another for Sherwin saw the hosts tottering on 12-3 after nine overs. Richard Greiller batting at three then dropped anchor and steadied the ship and along with Swannell, scoring more freely, despite numerous near misses, edged the home side to 50-3 after 18 overs.  With further wickets urgently needed Foxton then gambled with the spin of Nick McLellan, Swannell took an immediate liking to this with some big hitting, and with Sherwin now in his eighth over beginning to tire runs began to flow. With the win now in sight Swannell in attempting another maximum was splendidly caught and bowled by McLellan for a match winning 43 from 43 balls including five fours and two sixes. It was left to Withers (14) together with Greiller 23 not out from 68 balls to wrap up matters for St. Ives who owed much to Swannell with a man of the match performance.

With a 36 run victory over Steeple Morden I the Second XI moved to the head of Division 4 South.

Next week Foxton I entertain March whilst the Second XI are without a fixture..

In the Cricketer Village Cup Foxton received a walkover from Fordham in the Area Final. On Sunday, June 30th they visit Mistley in the National Round 5.