Fairford cricketers rue dropped catches (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Fairford cricketers rue dropped catches

FAIRFORD drifted to a disappointing home defeat at the hands of league rivals Kingsholm despite being in a good position three-quarters of the way through Saturday's home encounter.

Chasing 199 for victory, the hosts ended up all out and 14 runs short in the final over.

Home captain Townsend won the toss and inserted the opposition on a damp, but well prepared wicket.

Openers Williams and Upath played with a degree of luck against the opening attack of Denness and Bird, but poor catching was to prove costly.

Williams was dismissed after the introduction of Newport who also bowled without much luck.

Upath was neatly taken be-hind by Gray for a fortunate 54, but Fairford frustrations were entirely of their own making.

They tried the full variety of their attack, but could not stop the visiting batsman all contributing to a challenging total without any dominating until Cambridge took 21 off one over.

Young Markey, coming at number six, scored 28 and has all the makings of a useful cricketer.

Due to suicidal run-outs, Fairford achieved an extra bonus point with Kingsholm ending on 197 for eight wickets.

After a superb tea, Fairford were forced into a change of openers with Lee Clark joining Mark Leadbeater.

Playing attractive shots against Eggleton and Cambridge, neither looked in any trouble until both were well taken behind by Veits with the score on 35.

This brought Fairford CC chairman Adrian Newport and emerging member Graham Clarke to the crease.

Both were in tremendous form and each cruised to the 30-mark, putting their side in a good position.

When Townsend was joined by Gray, Fairford required only 82 with six wickets in hand.

Townsend was dismissed with the score on 131, after taking 11 from one over.

However, this brought Cambridge back into the attack who proceeded to bowl an immaculate line, giving Gray and Moreing little opportunity to accelerate the scoring.

Ably backed up by captain Rayer, both bowlers strangled the scoring rate to such an extent that big shots were now required.

Both bowlers claimed wickets as expansive shots were played.

Sid Peyman and Roofer Denness tried valiantly, but to no avail as Fairford failed by 14 runs.

Kingsholm collected 19 points to their rivals' eight and Fairford were left to rue poor catching in a game that was theirs for the taking.

Greener, set to return to the side this Saturday, will add some more urgency into the middle order as Fairford look to improve their form.

Fairford (8pts) 184 lost to Kingsholm (19pts) 198-8 by 14 runs.