Walsham batting collapse ends victory hopes
A poor batting display cost Walsham-le-Willows (68-9) dearly as they lost by nine wickets at the hands of Kesgrave (69-1) on Saturday.
Walsham were invited to bat on another hot Saturday, with Barry Lynn and Ned Campbell responding by making a watchful start to the innings.
However, Campbell (six) was caught well at mid-off by Joe Bonner and Lynn (nine) at mid-wicket by Matthew Oliver, both falling for single figure scores.
Captain Liam Bryant – batting at number three – offered some resistance with a knock of 23 runs before he was bowled by Sanjay Patel.
Shortly after this it got worse for Walsham when Neil Baker had to retire hurt and apart from Ali Waugh, none of the remaining Walsham batters could reach double figures.
It left the side all out for a very disappointing 68, with Samuel Colver the pick of the Kesgrave bowlers.
Defending such a low total, Walsham’s Mark Rothon removed Ben Colver (10) cheaply, but that was the extent of Walsham’s success in the field as Mike Worne (24 not out) and Oliver (30 no) knocked off the runs without a scare.
Next up for Walsham, who sit seventh in the Marshall Hatchick Two Counties Championship Division Three, is a home clash against ninth-placed Mistley II tomorrow (1pm).
l There was no game for Walsham’s Sunday first team, so all of the focus was on Walsham II as they entertained Suffolk Cricket League Division Five leaders Castle.
Walsham batted first and Luke Ridding and captain Andrew Ross got a few boundaries away to get the board moving.
When Ridding was out bowled and Taylor Rothon was dismissed, Paul Newman came to the wicket and set about the bowlers in his normal style.
He quickly moved in to the 30s but was out, caught behind on 33.
Ross was out bowled by the first change bowler shortly after for a well made 20. Josh Spillings and Liam Bryant built a partnership and, as they both got themselves in, the runs began to flow.
As wickets fell Bryant opened up and ended up bowled for 80 and the Walsham innings finished shortly after, all out for 173.
Chris Leake took an early wicket in the Castle reply, but until two late wickets for Newman with the chase almost over, Walsham could not force a mistake from the Castle batters.
