CRICKET: Huntingdon & District are back on top after skipper backs his bowlers in big Saturday gamble
Navid Ahmed helped Huntingdon & District back to the top of Whiting & Partners Division Two. - Credit: Archant
A calculated gamble from captain Craig Leigh paid off in spectacular style as Huntingdon & District returned to the top of the Whiting & Partners Division Two table yesterday.
Martin Burton impressed with bat and ball for Kimbolton. - Credit: Archant
Leigh opted to bowl after winning the toss ahead of his side’s trip to Cambridge Granta in the Cambs & Hunts Premier League, despite batting conditions appearing ideal at Clare College.
But with his own men short of runs all season, Leigh placed his faith in his bowlers as they responded brilliantly to set up a four-wicket win.
Nomi Khan bagged 4-22 and Wakas Mahmud claimed 3-7 as Granta were skittled for just 78 before Nav Ahmed hit an unbeaten 35 to see Huntingdon & District home after they lost early wickets.
“I wasn’t very popular when I chose to bowl first on a baking hot day,” admitted skipper Leigh. “But we’ve not been batting well so it was just a case of trying something different.
“I never expected to bowl Granta out quite as cheaply as we did, but luckily my gamble paid off and the bowlers did a great job to set up the success.”
Kimbolton bounced back to winning ways at the first attempt to continue their promotion challenge.
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James Biddle’s men defended a tally of 178 to triumph by five runs at Ufford Park in what the skipper described as a ‘very good game of cricket’.
Martin Burton was key performer with bat and ball as he followed up a fine 55 with figures of 3-25.
Warboys remain bottom after a 29-run reverse at the hands of Sawston & Babraham.
Daniel Hyde (52) hit a half-century as the locals were dismissed for 136 in pursuit of 165.
The 11 points gained during the defeat did at least lift Warboys’ overall tally back into positive figures after a hefty deduction for failing to fulfil a fixture earlier in the season.
CAMBS & HUNTS PREMIER LEAGUE
Whiting & Partners Division Two
CAMBRIDGE GRANTA lost to HUNTINGDON & DISTRICT by 4 wkts
Cambridge Granta 78 (N. Khan 4-22, W. Mahmud 3-7).
Huntingdon & District 81-6 (N. Ahmed 35no).
UFFORD PARK lost to KIMBOLTON by 5 runs
Kimbolton 178 (M. Burton 55, J. Redinger 44).
Ufford Park (M. Burton 3-25).
WARBOYS lost to SAWSTON & BABRAHAM by 29 runs
Sawston & Babraham 165 (M. Lavender 3-26).
Warboys 136 (D. Hyde 52, C. Whitfield 30).
