Fenstanton vs Milton II
Fenstanton 109 all out from 35.0 overs (M. Piaggesi 30, J. Nayar 8-1-20-4, R. Newton 6-2-17-3)
Milton 111 for 7 from 27.1 overs (R. Thorne 53 not out, M. Piaggesi 10-0-41-3, Taylor 10-2-16-2)
Milton win by 3 wickts
Milton show some resolve to win their first game of the season at Fenstanton.
The day began well at Fenstanton, with Bob winning the toss and putting the home team into bat. The weather was cold, overcast with a chance of showers for later. Wrapped in any clothing they could get hold of, Milton took to the field and were soon on the back foot due to the aggressive batting of opener Piaggesi. Fenstanton raced to 42 off 8 overs, before Richard Thorne struck. The ball after being hit to the boundary, Richard got his man, caught comfortably in the gully by Jack. This slowed Fenstanton’s run rate greatly and they only managed another 18 runs off the next 9 overs. At one end, Dave Sanderson was finding his line and length, barely conceding a run. Dave was joined by Tom deFreston, who soon set about Fenstanton, trapping Yakub LBW. Fenstanton were 64 for 2 at drinks, by which time Dave had bowled an incredible 6 maidens in a row. After drinks, Fenstanton really lost their way. Bob brought on Jack Nayar and himself and both bowlers kept things pretty tight. Pete Welton took a couple of sharp chances behind the stumps and a couple of batsmen played the ball onto their stumps. Fenstanton had limped to 109 when they lost their 9th and final wicket.
Milton hardly ever make a run chance dull, and when Phil (in such good form the previous week) hit his second ball straight at a grateful looking Yakub at cover, memories of previous failed chases came flooding back. Ben Sanders and Graeme steadied the ship for a few overs, before Ben was caught behind, Graeme was bowled and Bob caught and bowled without troubling the scores; Milton were in real trouble at 39 for 5 off 6 overs when Ciaran also followed. Richard Thorne joined Jon Amphlett at the crease to see off the openers who bowled their 10 overs each straight out. They did just that and Milton had recovered well at 61 for 5 at drinks. Jon and Richard (looking increasingly confident) took the score to 76 before Jon fell to Tattersal. Richard was joined by Dave Sanderson then Peter Welton before Richard hit the winning boundary and achieved his 50 in the same shot.