Hunts finish bottom but coach can see positives

HUNTINGDONSHIRE under 17s finished their season at the foot of the ECB Division Three North table after another heavy defeat, this time at Norfolk.. However, team manager Hedley Swannell was able to find some positives from the season, pointing out all bu

HUNTINGDONSHIRE under 17s finished their season at the foot of the ECB Division Three North table after another heavy defeat, this time at Norfolk..

However, team manager Hedley Swannell was able to find some positives from the season, pointing out all but three of the side were 'playing up' and will also be eligible for next season's campaign.

Hunts trailed by 119 runs after the first innings but an improved second innings showing from the visitors forced Norfolk to knock off 80 runs to secure the victory.

The fixture was played over two days last Wednesday and Thursday and the start of play on both days were delayed due to rain.

Hunts won the toss and opted to field and will have been pleased to dismiss Norfolk for 244, although at one stage the hosts were struggling at 73-5 with Simon Rose claiming three wickets in 18 balls at the cost of just nine runs.

However the visitors were unable to sustain this early pressure as Norfolk's Harry Bush put on 60 for the sixth wicket with Steven Cadge (27) and 58 for the eighth wicket with Luke Caswell (24). Eventually Bush ran out of partners and was left stranded on 82 not out, which turned out to be the highest score of the match.

Rose (3-37) was the top Hunts bowler while Michael Kearns and Amar Hussain also picked up two wickets each.

Hunts began their reply in fading light and lost their first four wickets for just 33 runs with batting hero Bush looking almost unplayable with his leg spin dismissing three visiting batsmen for just three runs.

Two more quick wickets fell on the second day but St Ives duo Ryan Withers (45) and Tom Beale (14) added some respectability but Hunts eventually slumped to 125 all out. Bush claimed 5-36, easily the best bowling performance.

Following on, Hunts looked to be heading for an innings defeat at 92-6 but Beale and Kumail Khaki scored 40 apiece to ensure the hosts would have to bat again.

A careless run out eventually brought the Hunts innings to a close on 198, leaving Norfolk with a target of 80 runs for victory in 18 overs.

The hosts' opening batsman Nathan Perry-Warnes (39) was the instigator of the victory with an attacking batting performance that guided his side home with two overs to spare.

Swannell said: "The boys will have learned a great deal in their first ever experience of two day cricket." He also paid tribute to the work of coach Michael Kay who is moving away from the area.