A CONVINCING 51-run victory over Little Shelford propelled Ashwell back to second place, with captain Tim Moynihan leading by example. On their first flat and dry wicket of the season, Ashwell got off to a slow start with four maidens in the first six ov

A CONVINCING 51-run victory over Little Shelford propelled Ashwell back to second place, with captain Tim Moynihan leading by example.

On their first flat and dry wicket of the season, Ashwell got off to a slow start with four maidens in the first six overs.

However, as the openers Martyn Deal and Tom Wallace got to grips with the pace of the wicket, they opened up and managed to put on 78 in 15 overs before Deal was bowled for 39.

Wallace soon followed for 32, but Gary Simmons managed to hold the innings together despite losing the assistance of Steve Parkhouse early on for two.

Simmons batted manfully for his 75 not out and with the help of a fine cameo of 20 from Gavin Donald, saw Ashwell to a respectable 204-7 in their 40 overs.

Little Shelford, who were joint second in the league with Ashwell going into the match, got off to a flying start with their openers taking advantage of Ashwell's makeshift opening attack, with Simmons being particularly targeted.

At the other end Donald was unlucky to only get one wicket for 30 runs in his 10 overs, and Little Shelford marched on to 89 in 15 overs before a desperate Moynihan entered the action.

The captain brought himself on and, following on from taking six wickets for 26 last week, he managed to turn the tide by dismissing both openers on his way to five for 26 in 10 overs.

Simmons having changed ends, bowled a much tighter second spell, and as Little Shelford fell behind on the run rate, James Higham and Steve Parkhouse managed to mop up the tail, leaving the opposition stranded on 153.