Future is looking bright for Saffron Walden despite defeats for thirds and fourths
THEIR games may have ended in defeats but academy talent shining through has given encouragement at Saffron Walden Cricket Club.
Last weekend saw the first games of the season for the third and fourth XIs, playing in the CCA leagues.
With both teams fielding at least nine junior players, these were strong performances from Saffron Walden’s academicians, playing in adult cricket.
The third team being made up of mostly U15s and U16s players were only narrowly defeated by Audley End, and the fourth XI of predominantly U14s, were only narrowly defeated by Thriplow II XI.
Playing at home at the County
High School, Saffron Walden thirds won the toss and elected to bat.
Openers Jonathan Brace and Hywell Bowen made a strong opening partnership of 51, followed by 13-year-old Harry Silverwood making a solid showing of 35 runs from 57 balls.
A useful final wicket partnership of 29 from Jay Reader (16no) and
Jon Buck (11) produced a defendable score. An early wicket by Xander Silverwood (9-1-47-2) gave good hope but Audley End were able to put on another 50 runs before Jay Reader (9-1-53-2) took the second.
Captain Brace (9-2-29-4) mopped up the middle order, but the visitors managed to meet the target with two overs to spare.
The fourth XI were put into bat by hosts, Thriplow and put up 128 with Nick Hoyle scoring 31.
A sterling effort by the bowlers brought them tantalisingly close to a win, with James Razzell and Jed Bailey taking three scalps each, but the final wicket remained elusive and Thriplow edged over the mark in the penultimate over.