Foxton Granta and Histon both chalk up red-ball Division One victories

Captain Lewys Hill’s decision to bat first after winning the toss paid dividends as Foxton Granta (219-6) recorded a 49-run victory at Old Leysians (170) on Saturday.

Half centuries from Alex Fullarton (53 not out) and Douglas Rice (52) helped to push the visitors beyond the 200-run mark in the Whitings LLP Cambs & Hunts Premier League Division One encounter.

The bowling, meanwhile, was largely economical as all-rounder Andrew Bramley (2-43) and Jamie Lee (2-45) both caught the eye for Old Leysians.

But despite a tight performance with the ball it proved to be a target that was beyond reach for the hosts.

Skipper Milan Mniszko and Bramley (both 38) top scored during the reply, with several batsmen making good starts to their innings without going big.

As for the bowling, that was spearheaded by Mniszko’s opposite number Hill as he chalked up figures of 4-30 from 10 overs alongside 2-15 off 11 overs from overseas player Kieran Weatherall.

Old Leysians will seek to bounce back at the first time of asking on Saturday (July 15) when they have home advantage against Histon, while on the same day Foxton Granta will play host to Southill Park.

Elsewhere, Histon (231-5) mounted a successful run chase to win Saturday’s home encounter with Blunham (228-9) by a five-wicket margin.

It was captain Ed Hyde (64 not out) who led by example for the home side as he scored an unbeaten half century during the reply.

And he was also well supported by Fergus Hughes, who was also still there at the crease on 52 from just 49 deliveries when the winning runs were struck.

Histon were also close to having a third batsmen reach a half century but Henry Wilson (47) fell three runs short of the milestone.

Prior to that, Ben Leach (3-48), Tom Newman (2-20) and Ben Kavanagh (2-42) had been the pick of Histon’s bowling attack.

Histon, who have won four of their seven red-ball fixtures this summer, will go in search of another victory on Saturday (July 15) when they head to Old Leysians.

Meanwhile, a target of less than 200 was too much for Cambridge St Giles (166) as they lost their home fixture with Ramsey (198) by 32 runs.

Craig Brendon Dourado (5-33) was a thorn in the side of the Ramsey batting line-up after hosting St Giles were inserted into the field by their visitors.

However, his efforts were unable to inspire the team to victory as only four St Giles batsmen managed to rack up double-figure scores.

Kunal Dabas (67) top scored and Reuben Thain added 33, but too many wickets fell cheaply.

St Giles will make the journey to Bedfordshire to face Blunham on Saturday (July 15).