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Sunday 11:06:06 |
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On a scorching
summer’s day, Chesterfords welcomed local rivals Ashdon to
the simmering cauldron that is the Rec. With clear blue
skies having won the toss Chesterfords elected to bat.
Openers Paul Phillips and
Tim Lewis got the home team off to
a flying start, capitalising on some slightly wayward
bowling racing to 72 off 15 overs without losing a wicket.
Phillips was in immaculate form, stroking the ball around
with minimal effort until his unfortunate demise for 21.
Lewis at the other end looked like a man rejuvenated as he
raced to his half century. The end of
Phillips brought the
hideously out of form captain,
Wazz Mughal to the crease, who
promptly joined his vice skipper back in the pavilion after
holing out to mid on. Lewis continued to demoralise the
opposition and was joined at the crease by new signing Luke Claydon. Claydon who had scored back to back half centuries
in his last two outings once again proved what a class
batsmen he is, taking his lead from
Lewis he proceeded to
brutally smash his way to yet another 50. The two batsmen
added 119 runs for the 4th wicket with
Lewis
scoring his first century for 11 years. Incidentally his
last century also came against Ashdon in 1995.
Lewis was
eventually dismissed for an exceedingly well fought 106. Claydon continued his onslaught briefly being joined by
Jamie Perring who was caught on his heels at the
non-strikers end being run out for 2.
James Lipscombe joined Claydon’s run fest as they put on 63 runs in the last 5
overs. Lipscombe finishing unbeaten on 22 and Claydon
finishing unbeaten on 71 as Chesterfords posted a mammoth
265 – 4 off their 40 overs.
In reply Ashdon started well, Captain Mike Furze (79) looked
in commanding form, although the Chesterford bowlers always
looked likely to take wickets.
Alan and
Mark Stokley bowled
well in the heat with Alan making the initial break through. Ashdon then started to look more comfortable as Furze was
joined by his father, and the two started to build a
partnership. However young Adam Laird was about to break
this, as well as the spine of the visitors.
Laird came onto
bowl his well flighted leg spin and soon claimed his first
victim sending Furze senior back to the pavilion. Ashdon
looked uncomfortable playing him as
Laird went on to bowl 8 overs returning outstanding figures of 6 wickets for 39 runs
including the valuable wicket of Mike Furze superbly stumped
by stand in wicket keeper Paul Phillips. From there on Ashdon were in trouble as
Walter Jackson and Tom O’Reilly
each picked up a wicket as Ashdon struggled to 203 off their
40 overs, falling 63 runs short resulting in another
Chesterford victory.
Scorecard
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