Cricket CCA Senior Division 2

AN outstanding bowling effort by Burwell II saw them snatch a narrow 11-run win over Wisbech II on Saturday.

With a last-wicket stand threatening to ruin the day for Burwell, their unwaveringly accurate bowlers stepped up to the mark and closed the game out, their opponents just a few blows away from an unlikely victory.

The win cemented Burwell’s place at the top of Division 2 by virtue of their superior points average, with Chatteris making up the top two.

Opting to bat first amid changeable overhead conditions, Burwell’s Adam Huckle starred early on, smashing 66 at the top of the order while opening partner Ryan Carey (1) fell cheaply.

Paul Redfarn (28) played a patient innings at number three to support Huckle before the duo were finally dislodged midway through the innings by Lyndon Walters.

A mini-collapse from Burwell looked to have opened the door for Wisbech until the arrival of Merrick Fuller at number nine, the tail ender playing stoutly throughout the final overs to add another 30 crucial runs to the score.

The visitors were eventually bowled out for a reasonable score of 171.

Walters led the bowling for the home side, picking up 4-41 in little more than 10 overs.

The home side’s Sam Albutt (46) ensured his side got off to a strong start, though a couple of quick wickets for Huckle quickly checked the hosts progress.

Dom Stannard (19) proved a stubborn obstacle for Burwell’s attack, though a charge from Fuller (4-47) and Robin Kemp (3-47) ripped a hole in the middle order and left the hosts staring down the barrel.

The arrival of Walters (24) and Matt Pack (20) at the crease threatened to spoil the party for Burwell but the tail-end duo came up just 11 runs short of the win thanks to some superb frugal bowling late on by Burwell.