Lewis Ager chose the perfect time to produce his first century when propelling Little Paxton back into the Hunts League Division Four promotion places last Saturday.
Ager starred with a stunning 128 off just 131 balls as his side claimed a high-scoring success at Hemingford Park with seven balls to spare.
The home side reached an imposing 236 – Julian Hale hitting 81 after being dropped early on – despite three wickets apiece for Tony Storey and Troy Beavis.
It looked a tall order for Little Paxton to better that effort but Ager had other ideas as he cracked 18 fours and two sixes in his maiden ton.
By the time he eventually fell to Hale, the visitors were within touching distance of a four-wicket victory secured by some smart hitting from Darren Storey (31no).
Brampton climbed off the bottom of Division Four after triumphing at Blunham 3rds in a basement battle.
The locals’ first success for almost two months was made even sweeter by the fact their Bedfordshire opponents drafted in a number of players from their second team who had seen their own Division Two game against Alconbury conceded.
Brampton prevailed by 37 runs after posting 168-4 (Mark Rix 43no and skipper Stuart Henderson 42) and then dismissing the hosts for 131, with Nick Long 4-45 and Rob Jarvis 3-29 starring with the ball.
Upwood roared to the top of Division Two last Saturday as their wonderful winning streak was extended to seven games.
Skipper Mitchell Newman starred with an unbeaten 83 as they pipped Godmanchester Town 2nds by five wickets – easing past a tough target of 225-8 with seven balls to spare.
Opener David Drage (53) hit a half-century before Rob Landemore added a valuable 34. Brett Wright earlier bowled well for Upwood with 4-44 while Dominic Ford (78no) was the star Godmanchester batsman.
Matt Burgess and Brian Chapman were key figures as Sawtry saw off bottom side Nassington by 21 runs.
Burgess was responsible for 64 of his side’s 150-run total on a day when only two other batsmen managed to reach double figures.
Chapman then bagged 4-24 - his second four-wicket haul of the summer -to ensure that modest total was sufficient to earn victory.
Hunts League Division Five leaders Eaton Socon Development were beaten by their closest title challengers last Sunday.
The local side saw their 40-point advantage at the summit halved following a 56-run reverse at Sheikh XI.
The Peterborough team piled up 283-6 with Eaton Socon Development falling for 227 in reply despite a big-hitting century from Jamie Vale, who plundered 105 off just 67 balls.
Saturday skipper Jack Haycock struck a ton as bottom side St Ives collected just a second Sunday win of the season. Buckden were the side on the receiving end as Haycock retired when reaching three figures and Rajiv Ranganathan called time on his innings at 82.
They helped St Ives amass 259-4 declared in 35 overs before they got rid of Buckden for 141.
There were a couple of fine bowling performances as Upwood overcame nine-man Houghton & Wyton by 22 runs. Ricky Masters helped himself to 5-37 as Upwood defended a posting of 162 in which Ross Puckey took 4-16 for Houghton & Wyton.
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