CRICKET ROUND-UP: Ramsey keep up the pressure on Godmanchester with derby win at Godmanchester Town

Godmanchester batsman Ben Clement and Ramsey bowler Micheal Kay. Picture: Helen Drake. (Image: Archant)

Opener Simon Cafferkey hit and excellent 64 not out, reaching his half century in 48 balls, at The Parks as the visitors chased Godmanchester’s meagre total of 109 for the six-wicket and 20-point win.

Godmanchester were without the inflential Chethan Williams and new recruit Akshat Agarwal but a full strength side may have struggled against the title-chasing Rams.

Electing to bat first, Godmanchester lost their first two wickets quickly but the returning Matt Davies-Binge dug in for a 90-minute stay at the crease to steady the innings. He was out for a painstaking 23 just prior to the first rain break with Wayne Bradley running himself out for 18 at the start of a disastrous spell in which Godmanchester lost five wickets for seven runs with Sam Rippington getting three.

At 63-7 another extremely low total for Godmanchester looked likely but Lawrie Marsh (15) and Paul Jefferson (18) added 30 runs for the ninth wicket to drag the total closer to some respectability.

However, the final total of 109 never looked likely to test the Ramsey batsmen and they had Rippington (3-15) and Michael Kay (3-38) to thank for their superior position with David Carlaw also chipping in with two wickets.

The reply was swift and positive. The Cafferkey brothers started the innings with 31 in 19 deliveries and when Michael was out, Simon continued to dominate the attack. He hit 10 boundaries in his first 50 runs and with Luke Stewart (25) added 56 for the third wicket.

Elliott Baldwin slowed the chase claiming the first two wickets for 27 and teenager Marsh produced an impressive spell without being rewarded with a wicket.

The two Godmanchester spinners came on to further stem the Ramsey charge to victory, Martin Burton finishing with 1-8 and Wayne Bradley with 1-28. However, Simon Cafferkey was always in control and fittingly finished off the victory with his 12th boundary.

Waresley went above Godmanchester, into fifth, when they beat Sawston by 56 runs with Simon Donald hitting 69 and Dominic Farr 66 as they set their opponents a total of 203 for the loss of just five wickets. Nigel Buckingham-Jones (3-27) and Laurence Frederick (3-22) were in cracking form as Waresley got their visitors all out for 147.

St Ives Town won their match against last year’s champions Foxton with rainfall playing its part for the home side.

Paul Swannell top-scored with 43 after taking 5-30 as they restricted Foxton to 137 all out and then reached 98 (their adjusted target following delays) for the loss of just four wickets.

In Division Two, Eaton Socon had a brilliant four-wicket win over start-of-the-day leaders Newborough.

Joe Donnelly top-scored with 30 and David Humphrey hit 28 not out when they chased a rain-adjusted target of 133. Bowlers Matt Rawling (3-18), Ben Gowling (2-49), Ryan Vale (2-14) and Matthew Taylor (2-49) were the stars of the show.

Brady West finished with 4-63 and Chris Whitfield 3-40 when Warboys got Khalsa all out for 179. But, despite opener Alex Grange hitting 42 not out, the visitors failed in their chase and lost by 61 runs.

After Grange had fallen, only Adam Hyde (22) and Matthew Cooksey (17) reached double figures and Warboys were all out for just 118.

HUNTS COUNTY BATS HUNTS LEAGUE

HUNTINGDON & District’s big game at Hunts County Bats League Division One leaders Blunham ended in a 39-run reduced-over defeat.

Third-placed Huntingdon still harbour hopes of winning promotion to the TuckerGardner League after finishing second and just missing out in 2011 and 2012. But this defeat gives Blunham breathing space ahead of Huntingdon and the second-placed team, Godmanchester Town II.

Huntingdon were 156 all out chasing 195 after rain breaks had see the match reduced to 35 overs. Nomi Khan recorded figures of

5-43 with the ball and top-scored with 61 with the bat – but had little help from his team-mates in the chase.

Godmanchester II’s match at Ramsey II was abandoned after 23 overs by umpires Neil Manchett and David Ash who deemed pitch unfit for further play.

Waresley II remain bottom of the table but won their first game of the season defeating Barnack by 73 runs.

Peter Colebrook hit 45 as Waresley set their opponents a total of 163 – and Joe Colebrook took three wickets for 21 runs as Barnack floundered and were all out for 90.

In Division Two, Eaton Socon II suffered a six-run defeat at Orton Park who made 175-6 with David McCaig recording 2-25 – but Eaton were bowled out for 169, despite a fine knock of 64 by Ben Reedman.

Sawtry beat Cople by one wicket after reaching their target of 139 with opener Craig Smith top-scoring with 37 after Brian Chapman (5-25) and Luke Smith (4-45) had given the home side a bit of a going over.

Neil Suckling was the star of the show for Alconbury when in their Division Two Hunts derby at Warboys II he carried his bat for 69 as Alconbury put on 154-6 and took five wickets for 37 as Warboys struggled to 120 all out. Sam Vallance also recorded figures of 3-20 in the 33-run win.

In Division Three, Houghton & Wyton recorded a one-wicket win at Castor & Ailsworth II with Andrew Reid hitting 51 in Huntingdon & District II’s four-wicket defeat of Blunham II.

Paul Tidey hit 92 and Tom Agass 45 as Buckden put on 195 for five wickets against Ickwell II, who were all out for 117.

Brampton beat Sawtry II by 29 runs in Division Four with the captain, Andy Canham, top-scoring with 52 and opener Paul Greenhow just missing out on a half century with 47. Brampton finished on 221-8 from their 45 overs.

At 34-4, Brampton could smell a quick victory, but a fifth-wicket 80-partnership gave Sawtry hope.

Two quick wickets after the drinks break changed the game again and Sawtry ended the day on 192-9 with Oli Day having the best bowling figures of 5-37.