THE City of Ely got their season off to a flying start as both their first and second teams scored victory over gritty Cottenham sides. A tidy performance from the first team saw them saunter to a four wicket victory at the Paradise Centre as they chased

THE City of Ely got their season off to a flying start as both their first and second teams scored victory over gritty Cottenham sides.

A tidy performance from the first team saw them saunter to a four wicket victory at the Paradise Centre as they chased down a decent-enough total of 226 with twelve balls to spare.

Kingshuk Dasgupta's searing four over spell took the plaudits on the day as he picked up three tail end wickets for just 10 runs, an inexplicably low early season bowling average of just 3.33. A crucial partnership breaking wicket from Bruce King was also worthy of note as he dismissed Nick Davies for 42 when the runs had begun to pile up for Cottenham at 147-2.

Mark Hatcher took the batting honours for Ely as he posted the team's highest score of the season with a finessed 56, including a show-stopping on drive for six to bring up his half-century. Lower down the order, Andy Buck did his average no harm as he guided the team home with a timely 37 not out.

There was an equally polished victory for the second team as they bowled out Cottenham 2s for just 85 runs - a total they knocked off in a little more than 17 overs for the loss of just five wickets.

Paceman Mark Deas stole the show for the visitors as he smashed through Cottenham's top order, collecting 4-18 from his 10 over spell.

Deas' hard work looked to have been in trouble though, when Ely lost their first three wickets for a mere 16 runs in reply to Cottenham's 85. With O. Swan-Taylor at the crease however, order was restored and the Ely all-rounder knocked a quick fire 28 to see the visitors home.