Godmanchester close in on crown as title rivals slip up

Matt Pateman’s magnificent men extended their unbeaten streak to 20 matches with a 106-run demolition of struggling March at The Parks while second-placed Wisbech crashed at Ketton.

Paul Swannell top-scored with 72 as table-toppers Town reached a declared tally of 235-5 and they made short work of dismissing the visitors.

Elliott Baldwin bagged 5-51 and there were two wickets apiece for Simon Rose and Kiran Adhav while 14 year-old James Dean celebrated his first top-flight wicket when removing March’s overseas ace Ash Vodnala.

Godmanchester now boast a 32-point advantage over Wisbech and can clinch the title with victory over outgoing champions Ramsey in their penultimate fixture this Saturday. Town and Wisbech clash on the final day of the season.

Ramsey’s miserable defence of their title continued with a four-wicket loss at the hands of Burwell 2nds on Saturday. Their total of 190 was comfortably eclipsed by the visitors at Cricketfield Lane.

Waresley are almost assured of safety after drawing at fellow strugglers Saffron Walden 2nds.

A mighty opening stand of 161 from Simon Donald (93) and Josh Smith (89) set them on the way to a handy 240-4 while their hosts dug in to reach 175-8 in reply.

Bottom side Warboys will require maximum points from their remaining two games to stand any chance of escaping the drop. That appears to be a huge ask for a team to have won only once all summer.

They were beaten by Histon by four wickets on Saturday after being dismissed for 190.

TUCKER GARDNER LEAGUE

Division One

GODMANCHESTER beat MARCH by 106 runs

Godmanchester 235-5 dec (P. Swannell 72, K. Adhav 38, S. Rose 34, T. Aziz 31).

March 129 (E. Baldwin 5-51).

SAFFRON WALDEN 2NDS drew with WARESLEY

Waresley 240-4 (S. Donald 93, J. Smith 89).

Saffron Walden 2nds 175-8.

HISTON beat WARBOYS by 4 wkts

Histon 201-6.

Warboys 190.

RAMSEY lost to BURWELL 2NDS by 4 wkts

Ramsey 190.

Burwell 2nds 191-6.