Akbar Akhter and Zaman Akhter help edge Cambridge Granta II closer to title

Promotion in sight after success

Akbar Akhter nudged Cambridge Granta II closer to promotion from Whiting & Partners Cambs and Hunts Premier League, Division Two with an unbeaten half-century in a six-wicket win over Stamford Town.

Granta put the hosts into bat, and the decision seemed to be paying off as they reduced Stamford to 38 for 5. A lower order rally made a difference though, as they reached 167 for 9.

Zaman Akhter was the leading wicket-taker with three for 38.

In reply, opener Akbar Akhter made an unbeaten 60, and with Zaman Akhter (43) and Will Hales (33) also making valuable contributions, Granta reached 168 for 4.

They are top of the table with 463 points, 32 clear of second-placed Thriplow with two games remaining.

Great Shelford’s winless season continued as they lost by 179 runs to Castor & Ailsworth.

Reece Smith hit an unbeaten 102 as Castor & Ailsworth made 254 for 4, while Aaron Spillett was the only player to get into double figures, with 25, as Shelford were bowled out for 75.

Cambridge St Giles suffered a 106-run defeat to Saffron Walden II.

The visitors made 353 for 7, and then dismissed St Giles for 247.

Histon ran out of batsmen as they were beaten by 90 runs by Godmanchester Town in Division One.

Godmanchester won the toss and elected to bat, with Amit Gupta hitting 84 in a total of 315 for 7.

Histon made a promising start in reply, with Will Brown making 48 and fellow opening batsman James Mynott also hitting 48.

Shakir Mehmood plundered 41 and James Wilson had a knock of 36 not out, but he ran out of partners as Histon were bowled out for 225.