Tom Banks hit the first century of his career at Cambs & Hunts Premier League level to inspire a first Eaton Socon triumph of 2017 yesterday.
Banks was responsible for more than half of his side’s total of 216 in a 36-run success at Godmanchester Town in Whiting & Partners Division One.
Banks hit 10 fours and two sixes in a terrific 112 while Matt Pateman, who skippered Godmanchester to the title in 2015, added a useful 46.
Paul Swannell, Russel Withey and Nadeem Nazar claimed three wickets apiece for Godmanchester, but the best bowling effort came from an Eaton Socon man.
Matthew Taylor took 4-35 as they removed their hosts for 180.
There was a first defeat of the new campaign for Waresley as they went down by 53 runs to early leaders Ketton.
Tom Griffiths’ men were dismissed for 172 as they chased the visitors’ posting of 225-9.
Australian ace Michael Ninneman followed up a haul of 3-40 with a first half-century on these shores as he hit 52.
Taylor West delivered a top-scoring innings for the second successive Saturday – and it helped Ramsey to a second consecutive triumph.
Taylor hit 60 and skipper Michael Cafferkey added 40 as the locals triumphed against Histon by six wickets, easily eclipsing the visitors’ tally of 135. New signing Simon Rose took 3-31 for Ramsey.
St Ives’ tough start to top-flight life continued as they were skittled for just 41 at reigning champions Foxton.
Not a single St Ives batsman managed to reach double-figures on a miserable afternoon. Skipper Ricky Greiller had the dubious honour of being their highest-scorer . . . with just eight runs to his name.
His side were beaten by 232 runs with hosts Foxton having earlier piled up 273-4.
Kimbolton collected a dramatic success to continue their fine start in Whiting & Partners Division Two.
James Biddle’s men triumphed at Burwell 2nds by three runs as their tally of 212 proved just enough to record a third successive victory.
Martin Burton top-scored for Kimbolton with 69 before Chris Gilthorpe impressed with the ball, taking 4-50.
Huntingdon & District suffered a first loss of 2017 when being beaten by five wickets at Sawston & Babraham.
Overseas player Graham Hudson (35) and Navid Ahmed (31) were the biggest contributors to the local side’s effort of 164, but the hosts eased past it with more than nine overs to spare.
Warboys’ wait for a first win of the season continued as they were spanked by Ufford Park by nine wickets. Matt Duncan’s men could only manage 104 with the skipper top-scoring on 29.
CAMBS & HUNTS PREMIER LEAGUE
Whiting & Partners Division One
FOXTON beat ST IVES by 232 runs
Foxton 273-4.
St Ives 41.
GODMANCHESTER TOWN lost to EATON SOCON by 36 runs
Eaton Socon 216 (T. Banks 112, M. Pateman 46, P. Swannell 3-35, R. Withey 3-40, N. Nazar 3-53).
Godmanchester Tn 180 (T. Aziz 38, A. Gupta 33, A. Cousins 31, M. Taylor 4-35).
RAMSEY beat HISTON by 6 wkts
Histon 135 (S. Rose 3-31).
Ramsey 136-4 (T. West 60, M. Cafferkey 40).
WARESLEY lost to KETTON by 53 runs
Ketton 225-9 (N. Buckingham-Jones 3-22, M. Ninneman 3-40).
Waresley 172 (M. Ninneman 52, A. Scully 31, D. Farr 30).
Whiting & Partners Division Two
BURWELL 2NDS lost to KIMBOLTON by 3 runs
Kimbolton 212 (M. Burton 69).
Burwell 2nds 209-9 (C. Gilthorpe 4-50).
SAWSTON & BABRAHAM beat HUNTINGDON & DISTRICT by 5 wkts
Huntingdon & District 164 (G. Hudson 35, N. Ahmed 31).
Sawston & Babraham 165-5.
WARBOYS lost to UFFORD PARK by 9 wkts
Warboys 104.
Ufford Park 107.
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