Walden Weighs In

A superb all-round performance from Steve Walden was too much for Frocester 
as Cranham powered to their third consecutive win in the league at a hot and 
humid St Peters Field. 

Batting first, the home side made a competitive 157-8 thanks mainly to a patient 
42 from G. Bailey and some lusty hitting from Frocester skipper Sean Little (37). 
Earlier, paceman Tom Finnikin claimed his first wicket for the club with a sizzling 
yorker followed by a seaming off-cutter to remove opener Richard Tuck for 10.
Opening partner Charlie Overs also got in on the act when a faint snick from opener 
O'Donnelly was tidily taken by keeper Jeremy Strickland.

A resolute innings of 42, however, from youngster Baily prevented any sort of Frocester 
collapse despite the spin of Steve Walden claiming 4-35.  

Frocester eventually closed on 157-8. However, Cranham would have to reach the target 
with 10-men as Nathan Moore left the field with a suspected broken thumb. 

In reply, Cranham were soon in trouble when opener James Mears was caught behind off 
Dave Richardson for 8. Fellow opener Jeremy Strickland made a useful 17 before he was 
caught and bowled by Jim Curtis for 17. At 48-2 Steve Walden and Brad Mears looked to 
steady the ship. However, the accuracy of Sean Little did for Mears as he was bowled for 15.

Quick wickets now would have swung the match Frocesters way but it wasn't to be as Walden 
and Charlie Overs dug in to produce a gutsy stand that defied everything the Frocester 
attack threw at them. Waldens 74* proved to be a match winning innings with the support 
from Overs (37) invaluable.

Cranham squeaked passed their target with effectively 6 wickets remaining and in doing so 
maintain their 100% record so far in the league.

Cranham Entertain Uley this Saturday.

Frocester 157-8 (G. Baily 48, Sean Little 37, extras 22, Steve Walden 4-35, Tom Finnikin 2-25)

Cranham 162-3 (Steve Walden 74*, Charlie Overs 34*)

Cranham (22pts) beat Frocester (5 pts) by 7 wickets.