Photography © David Betteridge

SCORES:

Ashwell Crusaders 209 for 5 (Paul Pritchard 66, Tom Westley 56; James Major 2-10)
Bunburys 215 for 10 (Alex Wakeley 76, Paul Coverdale 35)

BUNBURYS WON by 3 wkts

Arriving in Cambridge for our second game of the season, all that could be seen was rain! With the encouragement of both captains and a hearty lunch, the game began at 2:45 under grey skies and umbrellas.

Paul Thwaites had decided to enlist some help in winning this game by opening with ex England captain Graham Gooch, who with fellow Essex player Paul Pritchard formed an opening partnership of 115 in 17 overs, playing the ball to all parts. Both were then dismissed off the bowling of Bunbury skipper David English returning for his second spell, thanks to a sharp piece of fielding by Joe Cuby and a good catch in the deep by Duncan Wood. However, this only bought in Matthew Thomas, who in driving rain, scored a rapid 50, supported by Tom Wesley with 22. Good bowling at the end from James Major, taking 2 wickets, meant the Bunburys were chasing a significant score of 210 having got soaked for 33 wet overs.

A slightly extended tea with no let up by the rain, the Bunburys opened with Ben Howgego and match winner Alex Wakeley, who set about the task with gusto. Scoring at 9 runs an over, Wakeley reached his 50 in just 23 balls before being third out having scored 76 of the first 88 runs for the Bunburys! Harry Judd of McFly (21) then played the anchor role through the middle of the innings, playing second fiddle to Paul Coverdale’s  35 off 23 balls. With good late runs, the Bunburys won the match with 8 balls and 1 batsman to spare.

 

A full match report will appear here in due course.