Histon follow up Division One victory with defeat in National Village Cup

It was a mixed weekend for Histon, who followed Saturday’s league victory with defeat in the Voneus National Village Cup 24 hours later.

Ben Leach’s side (212-8) initially continued their positive start to the new Onyx League Division One season with a 19-run victory over Blunham (193).

Their innings centred around the performance of ex-skipper Ed Hyde, who top scored with a knock of 111 runs from 137 deliveries.

The remainder of the Histon batting line-up struggled to make any significant contributions, with Dan Cummins the second highest run scorer with 18.

However, it was more of a collective effort with the ball in hand as Cameron Mitchell (3-35) and Oscar Fry (3-37) recorded three-fors, while John Turner (2-32) weighted in with two wickets alongside runs outs from Fry and Fergus Hughes.

On Saturday (18 May) Histon will aim to bridge the 12-point gap between themselves and early-season leaders Ramsey when they travel to face Cambridge St Giles.

Meanwhile, Histon’s Sunday side (233-8) lost by a 58-run margin at home against Barney & Fulmodeston (291-8) in the second round of the national competition.

Turner top scored with an unbeaten knock of 69 runs in the middle order, but Tom King’s score of 111 from only 64 balls proved to be decisive.

Elsewhere, Foxton Granta (90-2) recorded a resounding eight-wicket victory over visiting Old Leysians (87).

It proved to be a Division One encounter to forget for the visitors, who opted to bat first after winning the toss.

John Welch (31) was the only Old Leysians batsman to score double figures and offer up any resistance, with the extras column their second biggest run contributor on 25.

In terms of the bowling, Sam Beer (3-12) caught the eye for the home side.

The reply was straightforward, although Foxton Granta did lose openers Adam Webster (12) and Douglas Rice (13) early.

However, the unbeaten Johnny Atkinson (23) and Alex Hooley (31) came in to get the job done with minimal fuss.

Foxton Granta head to Wisbech Town on Saturday (18 May).

Meanwhile, Burwell & Exning (164) suffered their first loss of the new Division One season at the weekend after being defeated by nine wickets against Ramsey (166-1).

Hosting Burwell & Exning got off to a tough start, losing Tom Griffiths (4), Simon Donald (0) and Nic Huckle (0) inside three overs.

Paul Summerskill spearheaded the recovery with a top score of 43, while Daniel Baigent’s unbeaten 34 lower down the order helped to push the home team beyond the 150-run mark.

However, it was a target that proved to be easy pickings for the visitors, who had opener Michael Cafferkey in top form as he finished 91 not out alongside Ben Saunders (52).

Burwell & Exning head to Eaton Socon on Saturday (18 May).

All-rounder Sam Thain was on top form with bat and ball to help Cambridge St Giles (284-5) beat Sawston & Babraham II (190) by 94 runs in Division One at the weekend.

Thain scored an unbeaten 56 runs from only 37 balls – an innings which included four sixes.

And the team captain followed that contribution up by returning figures of 3-38 from his 7.4 overs.

St Giles, who have won half of their four matches so far in 2024, will hunt for win number three when they play host to neighbouring Histon on Saturday (18 May).