Ryan Headington hits fantstic knock of 94 against poor Longstowe

CCA Junior League 4B

Steeple Morden 234-3dec (38 overs)

Longstowe 90

Steeple Morden won by 144 runs

STEEPLE MORDEN secured promotion as champions of Division 4B on Saturday after a crushing 144-run home victory over Longstowe – despite being denied any points due to breaking league rules by declaring early.

Steeple were put into bat on a damp wicket and openers Paul Jarman and Ryan Headington gave them a good start before Jarman departed for 19. Phil Saich joined Headington and both batsmen scored freely until a break for rain slowed the run-rate down for a few overs before things picked up again as 70 runs were added in seven overs. Headington showed maturity above his 15 years of age before finally falling for 94, in a partnership of 144 with Saic.

If Longstowe thought things were going to get better they were in for a shock as George Thomas (44* from 14 balls including four 6s and four 4s) added 52 with Saich in only four overs before the latter (58) was run out as Morden declared on 234 for 3.

In reply, Longstowe made a bad start with David Thomas taking a wicket in the first over. They reached 22 before Martin Osborne (10-30-24-5) and Nick Adams (5-4-1-3) helped by some fine work by Tim Tidey reduced them to 45-8.

Graham Jarman took the ninth wicket before a heavy downpour took the players off and it looked like the end of the game. However Longstowe’s last wicket pair were happy to resume on a now very wet wicket and added 29 before skipper Adams claimed the final wicket.

After the game Morden found out they had broken the rules by declaring early with eight balls of their innings remaining, resulting in Longstowe being awarded 20 points and Morden nothing. However this did affect Morden winning the league and they were duly named champions after a terrific campaign.