ASHWELL defeated Barley by eight wickets to earn promotion to the Cambridgeshire senior league for the first time. The win at Barley s Smith End Lane ground, ensured that Ashwell finished second in Cambridgeshire Junior Division One. Barley won the toss a

ASHWELL defeated Barley by eight wickets to earn promotion to the Cambridgeshire senior league for the first time.

The win at Barley's Smith End Lane ground, ensured that Ashwell finished second in Cambridgeshire Junior Division One.

Barley won the toss and chose to bat first on what looked to be a good wicket.

Coupled with the hot sun and a quick outfield, the home side would have been confident of making a competitive total.

But Barley failed to make the most of the conditions and lost their first wicket in the sixth over, Jason Busby-Mitchell being bowled by Matt Skelding for 14.

Wickets continued to fall, with only Chris Allan (25) and Jamie Walters (49) offering any real resistance.

And after Walters was dismissed by Tim Moynihan, Barley's innings collapsed, with Matt Skelding taking five wickets for just six runs.

Barley were dismissed for 130 with 11 overs to spare, with Skelding (6-47) the pick of Ashwell's bowlers.

Ashwell's reply started strongly, with openers Steve Parkhouse and Tom Wallace putting on a partnership of 68 for the first wicket.

But then two quick wickets fell as Parkhouse (35) and Martyn Deal (15) succumbed to the spin of Walters.

However Ashwell recovered from this minor blip and Wallace (65 not out) and Russell Kemp (4 not out) guided Ashwell to their target with 4.5 overs remaining.

n REED thirds are still in with a shout of promotion after this victory over second-placed Codicote.

Having won the toss and put Codicote into bat, Reed made a bright start with opening bowlers Rupert Martin and Kallum Ward taking early wickets.

Although Poulton (62 not out) offered some resistance, wickets continued to fall at regular intervals.

Ian Roberts and Michael Robertson also made good contributions with the ball, before Martin and Ward returned to polish off the tail.

Codicote limped to a score of 120 all out from 42.5 overs, with four players out for ducks.

Reed lost an early wicket, but Michael Robertson (45) and Matt Bowles (23) put together a good partnership, with some quick singles and a flurry of well-struck boundaries.

Although their partnership was ended on 58, when Robertson was caught, Masseh Naeem came to the crease and struck a timely 30.

Several more wickets fell, but Marcus Baker and Rupert Martin saw Reed home.

Reed now need two more victories, and for other results to go their way, to gain promotion.