Disappointment for Ely asthey come up short in run chase

Ely CC v Buntingford CC, Captain Jonny Wallace (Image: Archant)

Ely skipper Ed Aniskowicz won the toss and put the visitors into bat on a Paradise track that was not expected to provide any great pace and bounce.

The hosts got off to a decent start, however, pegging Buntingford back to 33-3, with opening bowlers Duncan Fraser and Andy Zajac bowling some tight lines.

The visitors showed some admirable resolve though, and Adam Parkins (49) and Luke Peters (41) put on 92 for the fourth wicket.

Parkins, in particular, hit some lusty blows, his innings featuring a series of towering sixes.

The two middle-order batsmen departed in quick succession as three Buntingford wickets fell for just a single run, leaving them on 126-6.

The visitors’ skipper Garner entered the fray and he too hit some long balls on his way to 41 before Paul Henman took a fine catch at mid-wicket off the bowling of Fraser. Fraser finished with figures of 3-33 off his 12 overs. Andy Buck snared two more cheap wickets, leaving him with an impressive 4-35 off eight overs.

However, Ely could not bowl the batting side out, Faherty and Arachuchige frustrating them with the occasional big shot which took their side to 196-9 in their allotted 45 overs.

Despite requiring less than five runs-an-over for victory, Ely started their innings in pedestrian fashion.

Openers Buck and Thomas Beaumont played out the first four overs for no runs. All rounder Buck was then dismissed holing out to square leg for one off the bowling of Garner.

Jonny Wallace (4) followed soon afterwards, trying to force the pace with a pull shot as a short pitched ball kept low and bowled him. Opener Beaumont’s 39-ball vigil ended as he was bowled by a Garner off-cutter for just four.

The hosts found themselves 17-3 off 12 overs, well behind the required rate.

Aniskowicz was joined by Henry Baker and the two men put on 60 for the fourth wicket. The partnership started slowly but Aniskowicz picked up his scoring rate to a spritely 46 off 54 balls.

Unfortunately, he fell to a sharp catch at slip off the bowling of Parkins. Rob Finch came and went, trying to force the pace as the required run rate reached eight an over. Andy Zajac kept Baker company for the best part of five overs, but the pressure told as the former walked past a delivery from left arm spinner Clements and was comprehensively stumped.

Baker hit some lusty blows in the latter part of his innings, but he was eventually snared for 40 as he was caught by Arachuchige off the bowling of Clements. Fraser, Mike Sellers and Henman followed in quick succession as Ely were bowled out for 130 in the 41st over.