A SPARKLING knock by Peter Richer helped Thriplow get back to winning ways as they beat Doddington by seven wickets. On a damp-looking track Doddington were inserted and Chris Viner s first delivery was a wide long hop which Martell conveniently flapped a

A SPARKLING knock by Peter Richer helped Thriplow get back to winning ways as they beat Doddington by seven wickets.

On a damp-looking track Doddington were inserted and Chris Viner's first delivery was a wide long hop which Martell conveniently flapped at and edged to Andy Craze.

Bamford then drove Viner to Richer at point and at 22 for 2 Thriplow felt they were in the driving seat.

However, Harry Vaheesen and Harradine looked comfortable and took the score to 80 when, after having dropped him in the previous over, Chris Neild made amends by trapping Harradine lbw for 42.

Vaheesen continued to look in control, but on 49 and looking for a sharp single, he was beaten by keeper Craze's direct hit.

Moden was then superbly caught by Richer at long-off for a duck off Turner (12-2-37-1), and at 110 for 5 Thriplow hoped to keep the total below 150.

However, Fountain dominated the rest of the innings, supported by Davies (21) and Burgess (14 not out), and Nigel Morris (12-3-42-1), Ed Russell (5-1-36-0), and Neild (10-0-58-1), were all unable to dislodge him.

In the final over he lofted Viner (6-1-34-3) and was caught by Kevin Scully for 72, but Doddington finished on 218 for 7 - well above what Thriplow had hoped to chase.

William Russell and Peter Richer launched the reply and once again Russell hit hard and often, and after giving a couple of sharp chances that were not taken he quickly made the bowlers pay.

Russell had hit nine fours and three sixes in a whirlwind 60 before he was expertly caught at long off by Vaheesen, but as a result Thriplow were up and running at 84 in only the 14th over.

Paul Staley (7) was then bowled by a shooter from Harradine and Martin Craze (2) was judged lbw as Thriplow looked in danger of wobbling at 121 for 3.

However, Chris Viner joined Richer and these two put the Doddington bowling to the sword with an unbeaten century partnership and Thriplow cantered home with seven overs to spare.

Viner's 45 not out was a sumptuous display of clean hitting but was overshadowed by Richer's all round show of excellence as he finished on 92 not out.