Cam 1st XI 282-8 beat Hatherley & Reddings 2nd XI 263-8 by 19 runs

CAM were ran close in a high scoring game away to Hatherley and Reddings, but kept their unbeaten start to the season going as they prevailed by 19 runs,writes George Dolling.

With the sun shining and the track looking ideal for batting, Cam captain Ryan Malpass had no hesitation in opting to bat first. His decision soon looked to be a good call as Ryan Western, promoted to open the batting, got Cam off to a rapid start alongside regular opener Jim Seal.

Western progressed to a quick-fire 50 from 33 balls as he peppered the boundary with powerful strokes as Cam reached 80 without loss after 10 overs. A mistimed shot saw Western depart for 51 with Malpass following shortly after for 16. Seal departed for a well compiled 32 before Jake Dolbear and Alex Ballard consolidated to take Cam past the 150 mark.

Both men departed in quick succession for 28 apiece as Hatherley & Reddings continued to pick up regular wickets despite the high scoring rate. Will Payne was unfortunate to be caught behind off the thinnest of edges before Adam Holloway and George Dolling combined as Cam pushed towards an imposing total.

Boundaries continued to flow before Holloway departed for 35 but Cam’s assault continued with Adam Philp (21) joining Dolling (32*) as quick running and regular boundaries took the total to 282-8 with Philp departing in the final over.

The away side started their response cautiously before Charlie Viney made the first breakthrough as Dolling held on to a one-handed catch as he back tracked from mid-on to see Nickel depart for 19. A lengthy partnership then served to frustrate the bowlers as Cam were denied the wickets they sought but importantly kept the run rate under control thanks to economical spells from Western and Viney in particular.

It was Western who broke the partnership as he bowled Carter for 53, and with new batsman Coote taking time to play himself in, it looked as if the runs required would be too much for the away side. They didn’t give up hope however as the well set Perks passed 50 and accelerated towards three figures.

With both men increasing in confidence by the minute and the target becoming more and more manageable, Malpass brought on Adam Holloway for his first bowl of the season. His decision paid off in his second over as Coote was stumped by Dolbear for 51. Ballard then followed this up in the next over as he gained a wicket in the same manner as the batting side turned increasingly desperate in their bid to keep finding the boundaries.

With 26 needed from the last over and just 6 conceded from Holloway’s first two balls, a crazy five minutes ensued as Perks was stumped for a superb 117 before Price was caught by Malpass off the next ball for a golden duck. Holloway then completed a hat trick as he trapped Heywood LBW for another golden duck, to the delight off his Cam teammates. Holloway almost trapped Tutty LBW to make it 4 in 4 but quick thinking from Viney saw the batsman run out as yet another wicket fell in what was an astonishing end to the game, Cam eventually prevailing by 19 runs.