Dramatic innings help Cambridgeshire to victory
WISBECH all-rounder James Williams produced a dramatic innings to help Cambridgeshire to victory in their Minor Counties Championship match against Bedfordshire. Behind by 110 runs and with only two wickets of their second innings remaining, Cambridgeshir
WISBECH all-rounder James Williams produced a dramatic innings to help Cambridgeshire to victory in their Minor Counties Championship match against Bedfordshire.
Behind by 110 runs and with only two wickets of their second innings remaining, Cambridgeshire looked destined for defeat in the Eastern Division clash at the Avenue.
But up stepped Williams, batting at number eight, to hit an unbeaten 59 that turned the match around and keeps Cambridgeshire's title hopes alive.
In partnership with Summers, who scored 50 not out, Cambridgeshire romped to an unlikely two-wicket victory in their penultimate Minor Counties match of the season.
Bedfordshire had amassed a first innings total of 303 all out with former Cambs player Jamie Knott top-scoring with 61.
Cambs skipper Damian Brandy led the home bowling attack with 5-66. Craig Buckham followed close behind with 4-55.
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The home team's first innings began well and Alan Burton (63) and Nick Ferraby (55) put on 98 for the second wicket to guide Cambs to 121-1.
However, the loss of Ferraby proved to be costly for the home side and they eventually struggled to 218 all out.
The Cambs bowlers were back in form to restrict Bedfordshire to a second innings total of 159 all out. Ajaz Akhtar took 3-12 and Williams made a fine contribution with 2-28.
With 245 runs required from their second innings Cambs limped to 135-8 before match-winners Williams and Summers took to the pitch.
With one match of the season remaining, the victory keeps Cambridgeshire in the hunt for the Eastern Division league title.
They lie second in the table, six points behind Norfolk. Cambs will now play Cumberland while Norfolk know that a win at Staffordshire will secure them the title.
