Ramsey enjoyed a successful start to the new season on two fronts.

Michael Cafferkey’s men eased to a 129-run success at Waresley in their Tucker Gardner League Division One opener last Saturday before making progress in the National Clubs Championship by claiming the scalp of higher-level Great Witchingham 24 hours later.

“Two wins is not a bad way to start the season considering we went into it cold,” said Cafferkey. “We didn’t play any friendlies and it showed a little bit at times, but we managed to pick up a couple of good results and hopefully there is still plenty more to come from the lads.”

Skipper Cafferkey and the man he succeeded – Taylor West – made impressive contributions in both weekend wins.

West top-scored with 73 and Cafferkey hit 51 as Ramsey piled up 250 against Waresley in their league curtain-raiser – a tally boosted by a big-hitting 38 from new overseas ace Blake Mills.

Mark Edwards then led the way with the ball, taking 5-29 as Waresley were dismissed for 121 while Kasim Ikhlaq bagged 3-14 on his Ramsey debut.

Chetan Chauhan and Alex Watkiss had earlier been the pick of the Waresley bowlers with three wickets apiece, but their side couldn’t get competitive with the bat.

There was plenty of drama the following day at Cricketfield Lane as Cafferkey and West masterminded a 10-run comeback success against East Anglian Premier League (EAPL) outfit Great Witchingham in the opening round of the National Clubs Championship.

West top-scored with 46 as Ramsey posted a tally of 184, but they looked set to fall at the first hurdle when the visitors eased to 140-0 in reply.

The locals had other ideas as Cafferkey took 6-40 and West grabbed 3-18 to trigger a collapse as the visitors lost all 10 wickets for 34 runs.

Cafferkey was also full of praise for the contribution of Mark Saunders a day before he celebrated his 15th birthday. The youngster added a valuable 17 runs to Ramsey’s total before bowling nine tight overs of leg spin.

Ramsey’s reward is a trip to another EAPL side, Swardeston, who have won the title at that level five times in the past decade, on May 8.

“It will be a really tough test against a top EAPL team,” added Cafferkey. “But we’ll give it our best shot.”

Ramsey host Nassington in Tucker Gardner League Division One this Saturday.