Archive - Wednesday, 3 September 2003


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Century from King's Stanley 's Jones sinks Fairford

FAIRFORD CC first team fell to a disappointing, seven-wicket defeat on Saturday at home to a spirited King's Stanley side inspired by a magnificent century from opening batsman Alan Jones.

Chasing a below-par score of 176, the visitors knew they had to win to avoid relegation and did so with ease, passing the winning post in the 42nd over.

Asked to bat, Fairford struggled with no one taking responsibility to make a major score.

Recalled opener Paul Freeman anchored the innings early on but, when he fell to the excellent Hatherall, Fairford were in trouble at 44-3 having already lost Townsend and Cook early on.

The only significant partnership saw the experienced duo, Clive Gray and Mark Leadbeater, adding 54 before the former fell to a lazy shot.

Cameos from youngster Matt Williams, Greener, Newport and Morris gave the Fairford innings respectability but, for the second week running, lack of wickets in hand prevented a significant increase in the scoring rate.

After tea, Jones was soon into his stride, taking advantage of any loose offerings by Newport and Ian Peyman as he raced to his first 50 with the score on 64.

The opening partnership had reached 104 before Applegate was caught off the excellent Paul Morris for 19 in the 25th over.

The scoring rate remained steady at around four an over with Fairford generous with the number of extras donated.

Morris took a deserved second wicket, thanks to Bullock's spectacular one-handed catch, and Townsend his first.

Jones, who continued to dominate despite being troubled by Greener's occasional seamers, reached a deserved ton in the 40th over before Bassett hit the winning runs.

Overall, Fairford can be satisfied with the second half of the season which saw them win five games in a row, after staring relegation in the face for the first ten games.

And finishing seventh in a competitive league is certainly no disgrace.