Goddy left to rue defeat to late lbw

East Anglian Premier League Godmanchester (191) lost to Gt Witchingham (193-9) by two runs A CRUEL late wicket denied Goddy their first win of the season at The Parks. Missing skipper Bevis Moynan, Godmanchester were just three runs away from victory – o

East Anglian Premier League

Godmanchester (191) lost to

Gt Witchingham (193-9) by two runs

A CRUEL late wicket denied Goddy their first win of the season at The Parks.

Missing skipper Bevis Moynan, Godmanchester were just three runs away from victory - or five balls from a draw - but lost to a controversial leg before decision against Matt Davies-Binge.

However, stand-in captain Paul Swannell refused to blame the umpiring decision for his side's loss; instead focussing on Goddy's batting inexperience.

There should have been no problems with Godmanchester at 186-6, requiring just eight runs to win, but Witchingham's Stuart Evans claimed three wickets for three runs to deny the home side.

Swannell won the toss and invited the EAPL newcomers to bat, despite his side's bowling attack being weakened without Moynan.

Godmanchester bowled well, restricting their visitors to just 91-3 in the 43 overs before the lunch break - the three pace bowlers conceding just 40 runs in the opening 19 overs.

Despite the quicks' good work, Sri Lankan star Praneeth Jayasundera (5-37) was the star with the ball, removing the opening four Witchingham batsmen with his incisive spin.

Openers Carl Rogers (31) and James Spelman (64) anchored the innings well, while a late flourish from overseas man Lance Shaw (30) helped push the score along.

Jayasundera's fellow spinner David McCallum took 2-33, while quick bowler Elliott Baldwin took 2-35.

In reply, 17-year-old Ben Clement, making his EAPL debut, contributed 11 at the top of the order, while partner Ollie Huggins shared in an opening stand of 39 - Godmanchester's best of the season so far.

Matt Pateman replaced Clement at the crease, but made just seven, allowing Swannell and Huggins to put on 47 for the third wicket - the highest of the innings.

New Zealander Shaw's return to the attack proved significant for the visitors, though Huggins did find time to record his first half century in the league.

However, Shaw (3-47) ripped the heart out of the Godmanchester innings, removing Huggins, Swannell and Craig Park in just five balls.

Jayasundera (42) and James Howells (11) put the innings back on track, with McCallum (19) also contributing, but it was Witchingham's Evans who had the final word.

Godmanchester now lie just three points above the foot of the EAPL table.

Meanwhile, at junior level, Godmanchester U11s defeated local rivals Huntingdon by 59 runs. Goddy started well, scoring 58 runs to make a net score of 258. Top bowlers for Huntingdon were Jonnie Wrycraft, with 2-4 and David Ball, with 3-15.

Adam Pedlar was the star with the ball for Godmanchester, taking an impressive five wickets for just two runs in his three overs as Huntingdon were restricted to a net score of 199.