THRIPLOW managed to put some space between themselves and the relegation zone, with an edgy four-wicket win over Doddington. Skipper Chris Neild put the visitors in, with the scoreboard becalmed thanks to the tight opening spells from Nigel Morris and Ch

THRIPLOW managed to put some space between themselves and the relegation zone, with an edgy four-wicket win over Doddington.

Skipper Chris Neild put the visitors in, with the scoreboard becalmed thanks to the tight opening spells from Nigel Morris and Chris Viner.

Eventually Vanheesen skied an attempted pull off Viner and was expertly caught by William Russell for 11, with Morris finally making a breakthrough, bowling Doddington skipper Bamford, with the visitors on 29 for 2 in the 13th over.

A prolonged shower took the teams off the field for 45 minutes and on their return the early pace and life seemed to have gone as Beavis and Brahmbatt seemed in little trouble against the spin of Neild and Robert Craze.

Eventually, at 92 in the 32nd over, Beavis (33) was caught and bowled by Craze (9-1-43-1) with the more aggressive Doddington middle order able to get to the wicket.

The final overs saw a flourish as Brahmbatt (54) fell to the returning Morris and then Fountain and Bamford (both 23) added quick runs to take Doddington to 183 for 7 off their 45 overs.

Thriplow's response started badly as Russell fell for a duck fourth ball, caught at point off a leading edge.

And despite a recovery of sorts, Richer (17) and Staley (8) departed with the score on 59.

However, 15-year-olds Theo Giasemidis and Ally Cliffe took over, and effortlessly managed the run rate required via quick singles and the odd boundary.

The pair impressed massively and had both reached their maiden first team half-centuries and had added 84 when Cliffe (50) skied a pull to be caught.

From a position of strength Thriplow experienced their usual wobble as Viner (8) and Andrew Craze (5) fell, but 8 were all that were needed from 4 overs before Giasemidis lofted Long over extra cover for 4.

However, as he looked to repeat the shot two balls later he failed to clear the fielder and was dismissed, but his 67 had been the mainstay of the innings.

Ed Russell nudged Burgess for 2 past point, but was then bowled next ball.

Doddington then saw young Robert Craze come in, and possibly thought they were in with a shout, however he nicked his first ball between the keeper and first slip for the match-winning runs and a two-wicket victory.

n Wins by the Thriplow seconds and thirds meant it was a clean sweep of victories for the club - the first in its history.

First up the seconds secured a 42-run victory over Sawston thirds with Duncan Walker (26) and Jeremy Tuck (37) seeing Thriplow to 145 for 9. Richie Turner and Nick Sugden starred with the ball as Sawston were all out for 103.

The thirds also impressed as they beat Sawston fourths by 84 runs, having chalked up 164 for 8 with Kit Goodfellow, Oliver Richer and John Deed all impressing with the bat.

In reply Sawston were all out for 80 off 27 overs, with Richer continuing his fine form taking 3 for 28.

n Four of the club's youngsters will feature in the ECB under-15 Cup semi final after Alistair Cliffe, Mark Deed, Patrick Miller and Tom Staley were all selected for the Cambridgeshire squad.

Theo Giasemidis was also selected but will be unavailable for the match with the winner of the Wales and Devon representative game.

The semi final will take place at Oundle School over the weekend of Saturday, August 23, and Sunday, August 24.