Godmanchester II claimed eight wickets, but failed to kill off Saffron Walden.

GODMANCHESTER

AFTER setting Saffron Walden a stiff target of 286 to win, Godmanchester II failed to kill off their opposition – despite claiming eight �wickets – and had to settle for a draw.

Batting first in the Tucker 2 game, Paul Berrill (45) headed some good early batting for Godmanchester.

Robert Howells (60) pushed on with support from Elliot Cafferkey and Elliott Baldwin to get �Godmanchester to 285-8.

Jack Skidmore (4-70) then put the skids under the Walden reply but Matt Stewart (101*) proved a real sticker and saw his side to a draw.

Adam Rendall managed a good spell, taking two wickets, and none of the Godmanchester bowlers took too much stick. The 57 extras flattered Walden, who never looked likely to get much from the game.

Godmanchester captain James Leet was full of praise for his side. He said: “We played well as a unit and dominated throughout.

“An early declaration was risky on a good track with a short boundary, but I think they would have seen out time even if they had batted another four or five overs.”

n Godmanchester I chased down a modest total of 173-9 set by Granta II in their quest for promotion from Tucker Gardner 1.

Wayne Bradley (83) and Trent Pascoe (46*) were responsible for a 143-run partnership that saw Goddy to 174-3.

Earlier, Oliver Verrall and James Cowan had �captured three wickets apiece to keep the Granta batting firmly on the back foot.