The Peterborough Evening Telegraph
Castor continue to defy their critics as they close in on title
Can win Cambs Division crown this weekend
Castor have one hand on the Hunts Division Three title after securing a crucial win over closest challengers Bharat Sports last weekend. Unbeaten Castor won the match by 41 runs to open up a 21-point lead with just four matches to go.
It’s been a great effort by the villagers who lost a stack of players in the close season after a club split caused by a diference of opinion with former skipper Rob Vitas.
“It was brilliant from everyone once again,” key Castor allrounder Reece Smith stated.
“We are proving a lot of people wrong with our performances this season.
“It was a superb battling win against Bharat. It was tough at times, but we managed to pull through thanks to a great team performance.”
Smith played a key role in the vital victory striking an unbeaten 49 at number eight after Anil Patel ( 3-43) had caused early problems.
Skipper Mark Wheat (45) stood firm at the top of the order as Castor eventually posted a challenging total of 204-8 in their 45 overs.
Nishant Odedra (42) and Depak Kuchadia (33) started Bharat’s innings well, but three wickets apiece for teenager Stuart Dockerill and Aussie Nathan Monaghan stopped them in the tracks.
Bharat can close the gap this Saturday when hosting Upwood at Wansford (1pm) as Castor are without a match.
Castor are also going pretty well in Rutland Division Two. They are in a promotion place, following a 29-run win over Stamford Town.
Monaghan (47) top scored in Castor’s 160-9 and bagged 4-32 in Stamford’s 131. Smith (4-18) also bowled well.
The Castor s pl i t has worked out pretty well for all parties as Vitas is on the verge of leading his Ketton Lions team to the Cambs Division Two title.
A win at home to Blunham this Saturday (12.30pm start) could seal top spot for the Lions who savaged an eight-man Yaxley side last weekend.
There is no love lost between these two clubs, but Yaxley did themselves no f avours by turning up so depleted. Work and Posh commitments were offered as excuses.
Predictably professionals Ajaz Akhtar (4-36), Devon Endersby (42no) and Rob Woolley (35no) all feasted on easy pickings as Ketton raced to a 10-wicket win in less than three hours.
Newborough are not safe from the drop after losing by four wickets at Blunham, although skipper Ross Harris is back for the visit of St Ives this Saturday. Harris has completed a two-match ban following a bout of ill-discipline.
Khalsa are safely in midtable. They despatched lowly Fordham for just 51 last weekend with Shazad Amir and Shaakar Mahmood taking five wickets apiece.
The Cambs Division One title race is much more interesting as Wisbech closed the gap at the top on Ramsey even though they lost and ‘The Rams’ drew!
Wisbech collected more bonus points for totalling 1809 on the way to a five-wicket reverse against Waresley than Ramsey did in reaching 119-8 in pursuit of Godmanchester’s 221-8.
There is now just a six- point gap at the top with four matches remaining. Wisbech host Ramsey on the last day of the season.
This weekend Ramsey have the softer-looking fixture as they host Nassington (12.30pm) while Wisbech face a tricky trip to Foxton.
Bourne endured a bumpy ride before keeping control of the Lincs Premier Division title race at rock-bottom Market Rasen last weekend.
The hosts batted well to post a decent 50-over score of 208-8 and they must have thought they were on course for their first win of the season when reducing Bourne to 15-3.
But Navel Grazette (60) and Carl Wilson (52) pulled things around and Bourne went on to win by three wickets.
Spalding were l abelled abysmal by skipper Rob Ambrose as they were skittled for a paltry 66 to complete a whopping 241-run reverse at Skegness.
Market Deeping (63) were also shot out for a low score in a 99-run defeat at Woodhall Spa, but they at least had the consolation of a fine fast-bowling display by teenager Patrick Brown (4-26).
Bourne’s Wilson played for Lincolnshire in their final Minor Counties Championship fixture at Bedfordshire, scoring 32 & 6. He was overshadowed by clubmate Conrad Louth who cracked 101no & 46 in a seven-run win.
Understrength Cambs drew their final game against Easten Division champions Staffordshire. Cambs were without their contigent of Peterborough Town players, apart from skipper Paul McMahon who played the final two days.
Scores: Cambs 322-9 (C. Pepper 122, J. Williams 37, S. Rippington 34) & 176-0 (B. Howgego 103no); Staffs 427-5.
Alan Mclean (103) scored CAMRA’s first ton of the season in a rain-affected draw against Pytchley.
Scores: CAMRA 225- 5 (A.Mclean 103, N.Bradbury 37no, D.Geldart 35); Pytchley 163-8.
Oundle Town wicket-keeper/batsman Alex Martin was called up for Surrey seconds to play against Glamorgan in Newport this week.