Sweetfuels CDCA Div Two

Ashton Keynes 147-9

Fairford II 111-9

TOO many Fairford batsmen surrendered their wickets tamely as they fell 36 runs short of the target at Ashton Keynes.

On a slow, grassy wicket and large, heavy outfield, with the threat of showers later in the day, Fairford were pleased to win the toss and bowl first.

Opening bowlers Paul Morris (10-4-15-2) and Tom Freeman (10-1-32-2) made life difficult for the home side's top order and young debutants Aidan Van Der Heiden and Will Chapman both claimed their first wickets for the club in adult cricket, taking 3-26 and 2-42 respectively.

However, Ashton Keynes' tail wagged to good effect, turning 118-8 into a competitive-looking 147-9 at the close.

Chris Yates (25no) and No.11 Mark Brooks (16no) built effectively on the efforts of top-scorer Barnaby Napier (30).

Fairford's reply only really looked like threatening the home side's total on a couple of occasions, and then only briefly. They failed to adjust to the conditions in the face of some canny home bowling, particularly from Tom Waller (3-25), Chris Yates (1-18) and Mike Grier (1-24).

The only significant contribution came from opener David Taylor (35) and Fairford's innings rather petered out to 111-9.