Cricket

Barley II 158-7

Bassingbourn I 159-5

Bassingbourn won by five wickets

THE return of James Hughes and a stunning innings from Charlie Littlefair ensured Bassingbourn finished the season in fine style.

Bassingbourn put Barley into bat but failed to make an early breakthrough as Phillip George and Jason Busby put on 44 for the first wicket. Ben Allen came on with immediate success in his first over picking up George caught behind for 17.

With the consistent Luc Pascal bowling tightly from the other end Allen could afford to attack and had Brian Symes (15) caught at mid-off. James Robinson then dismissed Busby for a well made 35 as Bassingbourn applied pressure. The lower order helped Barley to 158-7 from their 40 overs with Allen taking 4-41.

Mark Smith went early for Bassingbourn in reply but Neil Smith helped the run rate with two big 6s in a brisk 18.

Hughes then showed Barley what was to come as he deposited Symes over the pavilion sightscreen. The game continued at a steady pace and when Allen fell cheaply to Chris Trimble with the score on 67-4 the result could have gone either way. Hughes continued to play big shots and inspired Littlefair to do the same. Both batsmen hit the ball hard and straight, finding the boundary regularly scoring three 6s apiece.

They put on 76 for the fifth wicket as Littlefair was bowled by Peter Chuck one short of what would have been his maiden league 50. Hughes finished the game with another 6 and remained unbeaten on 64 as Bassingbourn won by five wickets.