Foxton Granta, Histon, Burwell & Exning and Old Leysians chalk up Division One victories at the weekend

After losing their grip on the Onyx League Division One summit last weekend, Histon (253-2) returned to winning ways on Saturday with an eight-wicket triumph over Southill Park (252).

It was a club-record partnership between Henry Wilson and Dan Cummins that guided Histon to victory as the pair put on 248 runs during the successful run chase.

Wilson was at the forefront of the charge as he smashed 170 runs from 135 deliveries, while the support was provided by Cummins, who scored an unbeaten 71 runs.

Prior to those exploits with the bat, Histon had bowled out their visitors in exactly 50 overs.

Captain Ben Leach returned figures of 4-36 alongside the team’s leading wicket-taker John Turner’s 2-39 and a contribution of 2-30 from Cameron Mitchell.

The victory has kept Histon in touch with table-topping Ramsey, who are 13 points better off.

Leach’s side will aim to keep up the pressure on Saturday (17 August) when they travel to face third-from-bottom Old Leysians.

Elsewhere, following their semi-final heroics of the previous weekend, Foxton Granta (255-9) resumed their Division One duties on Saturday with a 140-run victory over Saffron Walden II (115).

Foxton Granta, who will play at Lord’s in the final of the Voneus National Village Cup next month, batted first and had opener Richard Kaufman in top form.

He scored exactly 100 runs from 120 deliveries – which included nine fours and three maximums – while lower down the order captain for the day Johnny Atkinson (41) and Will Brown (27) both made decent contributions.

In reply, the Walden batsmen found themselves up against a rampant bowling attack that appeared eager to complete the job as quickly as possible.

Ravi Mahendra (3-11), Ferguson Fergusson (3-24) and Kaif Iqbal (3-30) all took three wickets during an innings that saw six of the batters dismissed for single-figure scores, including two ducks.

The other wicket to fall was snared by Henry Campbell (1-5) as Foxton Granta sealed a victory that has kept them third in the Division One standings, 43 points adrift of league-leading Ramsey with a game in hand.

Lewys Hill’s side will return to league action on Saturday (17 August) when they hit the road to take on fifth-placed Burwell & Exning.

Meanwhile, Burwell & Exning (250) continued their impressive return to life in the Division One with a commanding 153-run triumph at Blunham (97) last weekend.

The one-sided victory has seen Paul Summerskill’s charges, who were promoted from Division Two last term, move clear of Wisbech Town and into fifth position with five fixtures left to play.

However, despite the positive outcome, Burwell & Exning batted first and found themselves struggling on 84-4 when captain Paul Summerskill (15) was dismissed.

But the combination of Charlie Sorensen (51) and Dylan Hardy (66) came together to steady the away side’s innings with a partnership of 104 runs.

There was also a late cameo from Johnny Atkinson, who added 22 runs to the team’s total.

It was then over to bowler Joshua Vowden to do much of the damage with the ball as the home side were skittled out midway through the 27th over.

Vowden ended his 8.3 overs with figures of 6-18, while he also contributed a run out to take his tally of wicket involvements to seven.

The other two wickets were claimed by team-mate Clinton Cornwell (2-40).

Old Leysians (205-6) put further daylight between themselves and the Division One relegation zone courtesy of Saturday’s four-wicket win over Wisbech Town (204).

Fielding first, Clem St Rose (6-29) caught the eye for Old Leysians as he helped himself to a six-for.

And after his heroics with the ball it was over to the Bramley brothers to make a significant dent in the run chase.

Much of the damage was inflicted by Andrew Bramley (105), who scored a century, while sibling Richard Bramley weighed in with a crucial 42 not out.

Old Leysians, who have moved themselves 15 points above the bottom two, will host Histon on Saturday (17 August).

On the same day Cambridge St Giles (164) will travel to face bottom-of-the-table Southill Park looking to bounce back after losing by three wickets at home to Eaton Socon (167-7) last time out.