A SPARKLING knock by Andy Craze, together with a smashing performance by Chris Viner got Thriplow s promotion challenge back on track as they beat neighbours Newton at the Cricket Meadow. Despite a slightly damp wicket Thriplow skipper Neild had no hesit

A SPARKLING knock by Andy Craze, together with a smashing performance by Chris Viner got Thriplow's promotion challenge back on track as they beat neighbours Newton at the Cricket Meadow.

Despite a slightly damp wicket Thriplow skipper Neild had no hesitation in batting first, vice captain Paul Staley particularly keen to have first go, knowing he was to open.

However, after Turner played back a maiden from Prentice, Hill's first delivery was a wide full toss and Staley's eyes lit up as he launched into it, only to find Chand diving one handed to grab a stunning catch at point.

Turner opened his shoulders to despatch Subbings for six and, with the score on 80 after 25 overs, he tried the same again to reach his half century, but was caught on the mid wicket boundary for 45.

When Ayre fell shortly after for 28 and Cameron Selkirk called Godric Smith for an impossible single, Thriplow had slumped to 86-4 and were in something of a mid-innings crisis.

However Craze joined Selkirk and these two staged a highly successful recovery, taking good advantage of the lack of depth in the Newton attack to add a century together.

Selkirk fell for 44 and Craze for 55 and there was just time for Chris Viner (24 not out) and Jerry Jackson (15 not out) to push the total on further in the final few overs.

Viner took 22 off Hill's 44th over, including two sixes, one of which severely reduced his chances of gaining any lbws when bowling as it crashed through the window of the umpire's car.

Thriplow finished on 228-6, a reasonable score on what had been a difficult track to bat on.

Prentice and Wetzl launched the Newton reply and, although scoring slowly against some tight bowling, did not look troubled.

It was the introduction of Chris Viner, who replaced Andy Morris (5-3-16-0), that swung things decisively Thriplow's way.

His first five overs saw him bowl both openers and snap up an excellent caught and bowled off Vallings to leave Newton 61-3. Green and Stubbings then dug in and Viner (11-3-32-3), Nigel Morris (12-3-15-0) and Matt Ayre (4-1-10-0) could not break through.

However the scoreboard had seized up and, having inched to 96-3 off 32 overs, it was unclear what target Newton were aiming for.

The introduction of spin bowlers Dickon Turner and Chris Neild seemed to awaken the batsmen as their eyes lit up at the sight of what they thought was a more friendly offering.

However, looks can be deceptive as Thriplow's Laker and Lock reduced Newton to 109-9 in only six overs, Neild grabbing 2-5 and Turner 4-8.

The final wicket fell to Godric Smith, given a rare chance to turn his arm over, assisted by Staley who finally made a contribution to the day with a stylish stumping, the ball cannoning off his right pad into the stumps with his gloves somewhere else.

A Thriplow victory by 112 runs, together with other results also going their way, leaves them needing 66 points from their final five games to see the club in Senior League One for the first time in their history.

Martin Craze and William Russell return next week to bolster the side as they seek to do the double over Ely.