Barley 252-6 Great Shelford 89 all-out Barley won by 163 runs

FOLLOWING the sad demise of Thurlow Cricket Club from the league, a void in the fixture card was filled by Barley playing Great Shelford who play two leagues above. Skipper Martin Beedell won the toss and elected to bat on a beautifully prepared track on a glorious summer’s day.

Openers Albert Nicolas and Ben Howland seemed well set from the start against the bowling of Palmer and Munday. Nicolas offered the bowlers some encouragement with some edged fours but it wasn’t until Belcher came on that he was out for 26. The centurians curse then struck again as last weeks hero Martin Beedell fell cheaply to Ellum off Pyle before Martin Jones was then outfoxed by Johnson. Allan came in, looked well set but was brilliantly caught on the boundary for eight by Palmer off Parker.

Brian Symes managed just 15 before being dismissed while Howland cruised past his 50 before being caught for 80.

Wallace notched a brilliant 66 while Stuart Whitmore got a decent 22 as Barley finished 252-6.

In reply Great Shelford started slowly. Leigh Stewart (1-15) again bowled a tight line and Mickey Ross (3-34) bowled accurately to dismiss Belcher for four.

He then took Webb for a duck and had skipper Thomas brilliantly caught by Stewart at square leg for seven. Jones then came on to take 5-25.

Allan’s lightning reactions saw Johnson stumped, while Ellum, MacIntyre, Pyle and Higgins were all clean bowled as Jones put Shelford to the sword.

Barley ran out easy victors as Great Shelford finished on 89 all-out.