AN excellent all-round display saw Thriplow put their mid-season wobble behind them as they were back to their early season best, beating Ely & Haddenham by 51 runs. Batting first under the leadership of vice-captain Paul Staley, he ruthlessly replaced th

AN excellent all-round display saw Thriplow put their mid-season wobble behind them as they were back to their early season best, beating Ely & Haddenham by 51 runs.

Batting first under the leadership of vice-captain Paul Staley, he ruthlessly replaced the previous week's opening pair - Turner and himself - with the returning Martin Craze and William Russell.

This proved an excellent decision as these two showed no signs of rustiness and put together a century opening stand.

Russell was, as ever, the dominant partner with three sixes, but Craze was not far behind.

It was the latter who was the first to fall, bowled for 55, and this was followed by a brief interlude from Jez Tuck, who smashed a six and a four and then departed.

Russell was finally out for an excellent 75.

Paul Staley (44) and Cameron Selkirk (35) continued the run feast.

A cameo 27 from Chris Viner, among the inevitable flurry of wickets towards the end, saw Thriplow all out off the final ball for a challenging 282.

Andy Morris bowled a wide long hop first ball which Wells obligingly hit straight to Selkirk, and Thriplow's bowlers were off to a great start.

Nigel Morris then made a gentle caught and bowled look like he was trying to catch a grenade with an excessive amount of juggling to dismiss Hatcher.

Despite a period of recovery against Dickon Turner and Chris Viner, Peacock eventually tired and was bowled by Turner for 49.

Travis (33) fell to Nigel Morris, and although Abbott made an excellent 80 before falling to Matt Ayre, the run rate was never quite matched.

The Morris brothers returned to clean up the tail and finish with 3-41 (Nigel) and 4-34 (Andy), the latter casually picking up a low one-handed caught-and-bowled.

Ely finished on 231-9, a decent score but not enough to trouble the Thriplow machine as they march on at the top of CCA Division Two South.

On Saturday top and second play third and fourth respectively, and the promotion issues could become much clearer.

Injury-hit Hatley & Arrington just lost out in a high-scoring encounter at Barley on Sunday, eventually falling seven runs short of the home side's total off the last ball of their 40 overs.

Brian Symes (32) and Martin Jones (20) gave Barley a solid start, but the real impetus for their innings came from Martin Beedel who stroked a fine unbeaten 100.

Brisk knocks of 30 from Chris Markham and 33 not out from Eddie Collins added further important runs in the final overs to boost their total to 243 for 3.

With two senior batsmen missing through injury, Hatley looked to have their work cut out chasing such a large score.

They then lost an early wicket before opener Matt Steele, playing his first game for two years, produced a powerful knock of 72.

He linked up with Phil Hastings (43) to add 113 in 21 overs for the second wicket and put Hatley right back in the game.

Steve Hooley blasted 37, and Luke Knibbs 25 to carry on the run chase, but three wickets apiece from Mick Ross and Martin Jones finally ended the visitor's innings at 236.

Hatley now have a week off before entertaining Reed II on August 20.