Fairford Cricket Club Shares The Honours In An Absorbing Tie

Fairfords belated start to the league season produced an absorbing tie in which both teams threw away opportunities to inflict defeat on their opponents.
Inserted on a wicket that improved throughout the day Town lost two early wickets, Grays loss after a cavalier shot Townsend hemmed in trying to clear the biggest outfield in the league. Leadbitter with a dogged innings and Newport took town to the half way point before Leadbitter played on for 30. Greeners arrival injected more purpose and a mighty range of stroke play as he raced to 55 at a run a ball, blitzing a disciplined bowling attack before unluckily falling to a boundary catch having dominated a stand of 79. Newport, unusually circumspect then continued the run assault reaching a determined 59 and with the energetic running of Clarke ensured own posted a challenging 191-4.

In reply Bird then took a wicket first ball, Clarke's efforts also produced a wicket early on and if a half chance had been held the home side would have been three down for 12. Bird eventually took the third wicket and returned 2-32 in an unbroken bowling spell. The hosts however began to wrest the imitative thanks to disciplined batting. Moreing's toiling, Peymans best efforts and excellent ground fielding from Cook and Bullock earned scant reward as the hosts reached 174-4 and with overs to spare they looked sure to win their first game in the division having been promoted in 2003. In a final twist Newport broke through then Townsend set panic through the hosts with three wickets in an over which brought town to the verge of an improbable win They where to be denied by some desperate batting and a suicidal last ball run-out with the scores tied.

Town host Kings Stanley at The Park on Saturday and all support is welcome.