Cirencester Cricket Club > News > June 2003 > Cambray heroics seal great team effort for 3rd XI

Cambray heroics seal great team effort for 3rd XI [Tuesday 10 June 2003]

Cotswold District Cricket Association Division 3
Cirencester 3rd XI - 169/5
Poulton 2nd XI - 165 all out
Cirencester 3rd XI won by 5 wickets

Cirencester 3rd XI won the toss for the first time in ten matches and put Poulton 2nd 2nd XI into bat. Opening bowlers Hitchens and McQueen bowled tightly with the former picking up Denning with the score on 23. A stand of 70 ensued before Blades was caught in the deep by Banks off Cambray (90-2).

Next to fall was the priceless wicket of Vinnicombe mistiming one from Cambray to Woodcock for an excellent 49 (130-3). The next 7 wickets fell for 35 runs due to some poor batting and excellent bowling by all 4 bowlers. The problems in the field from previous weeks were exorcised with 5 out of 6 catches being taken, and some superb ground fielding by all the team.

Poulton were all out for 165 after 36.3 overs, the wickets being shared around the bowlers who all bowled well.

Cirencester started off well with Smith and Hitchens putting on 21 for the first wicket. Tim Cambray joined Smith at the crease knowing that Cirencester's batting had little depth, underlining the importance of the partnership. The next 12 overs saw Cirencester take the bowling apart putting on 102 before Smith was out for 34, the highest stand for over ten years for the team.

Cambray continued his swashbuckling effort, ably supported by Banks, as the pair adding another 38 before calamity nearly struck, Cambray succumbed to cramp, and batting with a runner was caught off Vinnicombe for a career best 75. Two more wickets fell with the score on 161, leaving Coxhead and Carter at the crease.

Matt Carter secured the win, and his captain's nerves, by hitting a six over long-on to score the winning runs. Pick of the bowling for Poulton was G Cook with 1-18 from 10 overs showing excellent discipline.

This win will give a massive confidence boost to the team, with players performing and looking to move up into the 2nd XI, competition for places can only be good for the club. As for Cambray, the bearded wonder is blossoming like his pre-match sherry! Cirencester now look forward to a clash with Minety, and look to continue their positive strides under the astute guidance of their inspirational leaders.