Gecko CDCA Div Two
Fairford II 146 all out
Charlton 129-8
FAIRFORD'S 2nd XI returned to winning ways with a hard-fought, 17-run victory in a low-scoring, rain-affected match at home to Charlton.

Both sides made the best of the difficult conditions, taking an early tea during the second rain break and managing to play a full 80-over game in the right spirit.

Invited to bat first, Fairford's 146 all out was based on a solid effort from their upper/middle order. Jack Grierson (34), Tom Sealey (28), Colin Denness (22) and James Alborough (21) all made useful contributions.

However, the home team's attempts to set a higher target were thwarted by Charlton's left arm spinners, the very promising B. Oakley (3-29) and much more experienced R. Moore-Colyer (3-22), who took the last wicket with the first ball of the final over.

It was going to take a strong all-round team effort in the field to defend 146 and that was exactly what Fairford delivered, led by Kurt Eyre.

He bowled eight tight overs, took a sharp catch and threw himself around so enthusiastically that his whites may never recover.

Colin Denness bowled the decisive spell, taking 3-14 in his eight overs. All the other bowlers played their part, particularly young guns Glen Chalmers and Aidan Van Der Heiden.

However, it was the home side's fielding that won the game in the end, especially after they were reduced to nine players (due to work commitments) with the match still in the balance.

Four run-outs were crucial in restricting Charlton to 129-8 in their full 40 overs.