League title destiny in Ashwell’s hands now
ASHWELL jumped to top spot in the Cambs Junior Division 2, defeating previously unbeaten Dullingham. Skipper Tim Moynihan continued his record of winning every toss this season, as he sent his side into bat, and the prolific opening pairing of Martyn Dea
ASHWELL jumped to top spot in the Cambs Junior Division 2, defeating previously unbeaten Dullingham.
Skipper Tim Moynihan continued his record of winning every toss this season, as he sent his side into bat, and the prolific opening pairing of Martyn Deal and Pete Davis got to grips with the division's strongest opening attack.
Deal in particular looked in great form, having made 150 in his last two innings, and they built up a platform of 73 without loss after 20 overs.
Having all of their wickets intact, enabled Ashwell to attack the Dullingham bowlers, with Deal reaching his third consecutive half century before Davis went for 31.
100-0 then became 106-2, when Deal (65) was bowled by Baldwin (3-34), and the Ashwell innings needed a little rebuilding before the final charge.
Jonathan Merrell and Moynihan added 41, before the captain holed out to long-on in the 35th over for 12.
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Merrell hit two sixes before he was caught on the mid-wicket boundary for 34, which introduced a last-ditch Tom Wallace (14 not out) cameo, with Ashwell posting a total of 175-5.
Sam Ingrey and James Higham (2-32) took the ball for Ashwell, and both bowled probing spells to keep Dullingham's runs to a minimum.
The pressure was beginning to build on the Dullingham openers, and D Baldwin was clean bowled by Higham for 25.
Russell Kemp (1-40) and Tim Moynihan (2-36) continued to keep things tight, with wickets falling at regular intervals.
And with five overs remaining, Dullingham were 133-4 and needed 43 to win.
Moynihan was bowling excellently, and in tandem with Merrell (1-17) forced the batsmen to take risks.
And when Dullingham's main threat C Baldwin was caught by Deal at mid wicket for 30, they collapsed, with Ashwell's superb fielding contributing to three run outs in the closing overs.
Dullingham finished 14 runs short of their target, on 161-9.
Ashwell vice captain Jonathan Merrell said: "We scraped home and have now overtaken Dullingham at the top by the narrowest of margins.
"Four victories from our last four games will certainly be enough - so it's in our hands.
