A round-up of the county action

County cricket round-up

JON Carpenter smashed the winning runs and completed his century as Huntingdonshire U17 completed a seven-wicket win against Norfolk at Great Witchingham on Sunday.

The 17-year-old showed remarkable staying power to remain on the pitch for the entire 98-over match, backing up his batting with a bowling spell in which he delivered 10 overs for just 25 runs.

Norfolk won the toss and elected to bat, but were restricted to 225-9 from 50 overs. Carpenter (103*), and opening partner Josh Bower (45) got the reply off on a sound footing and Carpenter paced the innings superbly to steer Hunts home in the 48th over.

The Huntingdonshire over-50 team fell 28 runs short against Northants O50 at Great Oakley. Kevin Clement (1-19) and Richie Gale (2-38) asked questions with the ball but the Northants middle order took control and posted a good score of 258-6.

Bob Milne (60) gave Huntingdonshire’s reply some impetus but it needed a lower order stand of 53 between Clements (23) and Gary Whitbread (35*) to see Hunts to a respectable 230-8.

Paul Swannell served up another excellent individual performance as he smashed his first senior county century in Sunday’s friendly against Middlesex Academy at St Ives.

The visitors elected to bat and made the Hunts bowlers toil in the heat as they built a solid total of 264-5 in 50 overs. James Sykes (3-57) kept Middlesex on their toes and Bevis Moynan picked up the other two wickets.

The Hunts stumbled early on, with two down in two overs, but David Clarke (16) and Ashley Rodgers (69) started the recovery before Swannell (102*) joined the party at 96-5. Moynan (31) and Swannell enjoyed an 83-run partnership before Swannell crashed a huge six to win the game and complete his ton.