Five-star Ettridge sinks Cove
TOM Ettridge produced a fivestar performance as Falkland maintained their flying start to the Division 1 season.
The 18-year-old pace bowler ripped through the Cove tail to finish with figures of 5-19 from 5.3 overs and set Falkland on their way to a five-wicket victory.
It was another impressive display from the Wash Common side, who currently sit joint top of the table, with two wins and a washout from their first three games.
Skipper Jason Williams said: “It was a dominant performance against previously-unbeaten Cove side.
“We were ruthless departments again.
“Cove got off to a flying start and were 48-0 off four overs, but Charlie Dale and Jimmy Shaw bowled well and the introduction of Tom changed the game.,
“He was doing all sorts with the ball and they had no answer to him.
“Then we had a bit of a wobble at 27-3 before Will Langmead
in
all came in and changed the game.”
Cove raced away at the start of their innings with former Somerset 2nd XI batsman James Regan smashing 27 and Tom Redhead adding 29.
But an excellent bowling display reduced the visitors from 47-1 to 68-7 and from then on it was the Tom Ettridge show as he picked up five wickets in an inspired spell.
Falkland got off to a shaky start and lost three early wickets.
But then Langmead joined James Lauder in the middle and took the game away from Cove with a blistering display.
He finally fell for 35, but Lauder (25no) and Shaw (21no) steered Falkland home after just 18 overs.
Now Falkland will turn their attention to what could be a crunch game in their campaign at joint table-toppers Ickenham on Saturday.
Falkland will be without skipper Williams, James and Tom Ettridge and Shaw, but will give a first-team debut to 17-year-old Anthony Hennis, who has been impressive for the 2nd XI this season.
Williams said: “Ickenham are looking very good this season.
“But we will still be fielding a very strong team on Saturday and confidence is very high in our camp.