Fine All-Round Display As Fairford Topple Leaders

Fairford returned to winning ways with an important 38 run win over league leaders Apperley in an unexpectedly low scoring game in which the hosts first had, lost then seized back the imitative thanks to a determined all round team effort well led by some astute captaincy by Leadbeater.

Asked to bat the early loss of Townsend brought in Gray and the veteran proceeded to get town off to a flying start producing a string of boundaries against some wayward quick bowling which was to his liking, he dominated a stand of 59 before losing his perfect foil in Leadbeater. Newport continued his fine form of late and also found the boundary often. Apperley facing the prospect of a daunting total set and bowled to a rigid defensive field that stifled the scoring. At 125 Newport lost his wicket and was soon followed by Gray, the latter striking 10 fours in his 66. Of the remaining batsmen only Lee Clarke reached double figures, and despite Bennett pyrotechnic efforts the innings fell badly away, Fairford losing their last 8 wickets for just 33 runs their last three without addition, their total of 158 looking nowhere near enough against the leagues most prolific run-getters.

Needing a good start Ed Bird produced a masterful display of new ball swing bowling, after his first seven overs he had taken the first four wickets at personal cost of just 8 runs, he again bowled through although tiring at the end his 4-25 gave town an advantage they where to tighten throughout the evening. Leadbeater rotating his bowlers changed the luckless Graham Clarke for Townsend, whose extra yard of pace brought another quick wicket. At half way with the game looking evenly poised the introduction of Newport and Moreing closed the game for town. They where aided by some exceptional ground fielding from the youthful Bennett, Cook and Peyman in particular as town then strangled any reasonable scoring opportunities, Moreing breaking the only partnership of note then Newport clearing the tail and the spoils with 4-28 his best return of the season. This was an impressive win for Fairford against a team investing in and expecting promotion and continues the good start made by Fairford in all parts of their game.