Agony for Wycombe's Cranfield-Thompson (From Bucks Free Press)

Agony for Wycombe's Cranfield-Thompson

9:59am Wednesday 8th July 2009 in

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DAVID Cranfield-Thompson came agonisingly one run short of completing his maiden Minor Counties Championship century during Bucks' rain-affected Eastern Division draw against Cambridgeshire at March.

The High Wycombe wicket-keeper holed out for 99, after leading a determined Bucks rearguard action on the second day.

In reply to Cambridgeshire's first innings total of 281, Bucks slumped to 93-7 before Cranfield-Thompson, who batted for 213 balls, shared successive stands of 84 with Matt Watson and 77 with George Harper to leave them just 25 runs adrift.

Cambridgeshire had staged an even more remarkable recovery on the first day. After winning the toss they crashed to a disastrous 10-5 in the first five overs, Mark Hardinges taking four wickets for six runs as the ball misbehaved.

It seemed the match might be over in a day. But former Yorkshire batsman Simon Kellett made a magnificent 113 not out as the home side recovered to 281 on the veasing pitch. Hardinges finished with 4-56.

Sadly the final day was ruined by rain. Cambridgeshire declared their second innings at 259-5, setting Bucks a victory target of 285 in a minimum of 62 overs. Bucks had reached 55-2 off 21.5 overs when the weather intervened.

The ten points Bucks picked up from the match enabled them to stay top of the table.

Their next Championship game is against Bedfordshire at Gerrards Cross on July 26-28.