THRIPLOW came up against Babraham at the Cricket Meadow but were unable to dismiss star batsman Woodgate early enough and he duly took the visitors to a comfortable victory. Batting first Russell and Richer soon had Thriplow off to a solid start, however

THRIPLOW came up against Babraham at the Cricket Meadow but were unable to dismiss star batsman Woodgate early enough and he duly took the visitors to a comfortable victory.

Batting first Russell and Richer soon had Thriplow off to a solid start, however just as it looked like Russell was set for a big score he skied Holmes' delivery and was caught for 44 with the score on 69.

Richer and Godric Smith moved the score on to 163 in the 30th over.

But Richer, after a sublime, chanceless knock of 77, was then bowled by Balakrisnan, and when Smith fell to I McNulty for 17 Thriplow needed to re-stabilise.

However, Scully then fell for 6 and Goodacre for a duck and despite cameo knocks from Viner (22) and Neild (25), Thriplow finished on 230 for 8.

Nigel Morris opened the bowling with a tight spell of 6-2-16-0 and while Woodgate got into his stride against Woolley at the other end, T McNulty was snapped up by Staley at short extra to leave Babraham 24-1 in the eighth over.

With the score on 64, Woodgate then misjudged the flight and lofted to long off.

Thriplow sensed a vital moment, but the catch went down and with that the match seemingly slipped away.

Woodgate was finally caught by Russell for an excellent 119 with the score on 200, but Palmer took his total to 80 and saw Babraham home in the 37th over with eight wickets in hand.

THRIPLOW seconds came second best to Steeple Morden for the second time in two weeks.

Once again skipper Dabnor lost the toss and was asked to bat.

And the fall of Dan Carr, bowled for 1 by the impressive Jack Tidey, then saw the early arrival of the skipper and an aggressive innings in the company of Duncan Walker put Steeple Morden on the back foot.

Debutant Dave Cotton (3-50) broke the partnership with Dabnor (28) unfortunate to play back to a short pitched ball that kept unexpectedly low and took the off stump.

The Morden bowlers gradually began to get on top and started to control the Thriplow run rate with Steve Bailey and Martin Osbourne reducing Dabnor's side to 89 for 6.

Two quick wickets had upset Thriplow's plan, with Walters (6) hooking a shot that was well caught by Tim Tidey (2-35) and then Walker (37) was adjudged lbw playing forward to a straight one from Bailey.

Two run outs arising from poor communication took the heart out of Thriplow's innings when a reasonable score looked possible.

First Jerry Jackson (9) was left stranded and later Jez Tuck, well set on 29, experienced an identical demise.

A cameo 22 not out from Duncan Baxter in 15 balls supported by Tom Care and Richie Turner took the innings to 159.

However, Steeple's innings soon took a turn for the worse, slumping 25 for 3, with Care taking account for Hoffer (13) and Turner undoing Williams for a duck, and also seeing off Jarman.

With the score on 25 for 3, wily Bailey joined the youthful Max Carlton and Morden settled to the task.

Carlton reached 100, including five sixes and 11 fours, with Bailey the perfect foil as he reached 32 not out. Their winning 138 partnership dealt with anything thrown their way.