Sandford thwarted as Heath takes hat-trick for Cropredy

Cropredy drew with Sandford St Martin in division three on the opening day of the Cherwell Cricket League campaign.
Sandford St Martin wicket keeper Nick Leader deals with a delivery at CropredySandford St Martin wicket keeper Nick Leader deals with a delivery at Cropredy
Sandford St Martin wicket keeper Nick Leader deals with a delivery at Cropredy

Batting first, Cropredy made a positive start built around a superb debut by Russell Beckett 79. Sharing important stands with Joe Fox, Ed Somerton and Jake Walters, Beckett guided Cropredy to 233 despite some disciplined bowling with Simon Smith taking 6-51.

Despite losing a wicket to the second ball, Sandford were positive in their reply, Jim Howe 89 sharing big partnerships with Greg Pearson 42 and Chris Thompson 35 to take Sandford close. But a late, explosive burst including a hat-trick from Jake Heath 6-41 restricted Sandford to 204-7.

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Great & Little Tew II beat Wolverton Town by three wickets.

Wolverton raced to 54-1 from 12 overs before Liam Manley bowled opener Atif Akhlaq 33 and progress stalled. Tew’s bowling discipline improved and with Robbie Shurmer 3-50 and Matthew Warner 3-16 dismissing Wolverton for 110.

Heavy rain led to a two-hour delay and reduced Tew’s chase to just 30 overs.

Tew lost a couple of early wickets before Matthew Clarke 46 and David Fanghanel-Powles took the score to 78-2 from 18 overs.

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Powles’ dismissal triggered a minor collapse as Wasim Fayyaz took 4-7 as Tew were reduced to 105-7. But Manley kept his head to hit the winning runs as Tew got home in the 29th over.

Banbury II beat Aston Rowant II by seven wickets in division one.

Jimmy Phillips took 5-33 and Steve Hart picked up Hart 3-25 as Aston Rowant were restricted to 163-9.

In reply, Olly Clarke 40, Justin Lambden 37 and Will Briggs 31no led the way as Banbury got home in the 35th over.

Full round-up in this week’s Banbury Guardian.