Gloucestershire County League Division Two

Cam 253-6 beat Cinderford St John 161-7 by 92 runs

CAM secured an immediate return to the top tier of The Gloucestershire County League as a comprehensive victory at home to Cinderford St John ensured they will end the season as Division Two champions.

Having been asked to bat first on humid day and on an ideal track for batting, Adam Holloway’s Cam side soon lost their first wicket as Jake Dolbear edged behind off the bowling of Adams for six.

Gareth Udal joined Ryan Western at the crease and the pair played contrasting knocks with Western scoring heavily whilst Udal opted for a patient approach to ensure Cam kept wickets intact.

The partnership had reached 106 by the time Western was caught at midwicket for an aggressive 65 from 66 balls. His innings contained five fours and five sixes as he took full advantage of any loose deliveries. Udal departed in the next over for a more sedate 28, but with Cam in a strong position, the remaining batsmen knew a big total was within reach.

Ryan Malpass and Alex Ballard continued the quick scoring rate in adding 55 for the fourth wicket before Malpass was caught off the bowling of House for 28.

Ed Paddock then joined Ballard at the crease and an equally impressive partnership was formed as the pair added another 55 runs, with both men rotating the strike well as they began to score off every delivery as the innings neared its close.

The pair had taken the score to 224 before Ballard was bowled by House for 58 as he looked to add to his tally of four fours and three sixes in his 52 ball innings.

Paddock was joined by Pete Hall and the pair took the score past 250 before Hall was caught for nine in the final over. Paddock finished unbeaten on 33 from 29 balls with Cam’s total an imposing 253-6.

With a big total to defend, Cam’s opening bowlers of George Dolling and Gareth Udal knew that keeping things tight in the early exchanges would go a long way towards securing victory.

Both men succeeded, but Udal did more than just limit the scoring rate as he ran through the Cinderford top order with a brilliant spell of bowling.

The accuracy of Udal saw Ruck and Rich both bowled for single figure scores before a low catch by Dolling at first slip sent Cartwright on his way. Udal collected his fourth soon after as Adam Philp collected a comfortable catch as Udal finished with 4-14 from his nine overs.

Pete Hall and Charlie Viney were brought into the attack and continued to keep the scoring to a minimum as Cinderford fell further and further behind the required run rate.

Hall found some success as he eased into his spell as he collected wickets thanks to catches by Dolling and Malpass, before bowling Camp for nought.

Hall’s spell of 3-16 from 9 overs had left Cinderford with no realistic chance of victory, with the score on 66-7, and so the two batsmen opted to defend rather than attack as the scoring rate almost ground to a halt.

The tactic, whilst frustrating for Cam, was only delaying the inevitable, with Cam’s victory now guaranteed.

With Cam’s regular bowlers unable to find the breakthrough, Holloway offered the chance for some of Cam’s lesser-used bowlers to chance their arm.

No more successes were gained however as Cam ran out victorious by 92 runs, with Jackson (34) and King (42) the not out batsmen.

Cam finish their season this week away to fellow promoted side Poulton in what should be a fitting way to end what has been a successful season for the club.