Cam 1st XI 239-9 beat Rockhampton 2nd XI 124-10 by 115 runs, writes George Dolling. 

After last weekend’s disappointing defeat to Tetbury, Cam bounced back in style with a comfortable victory away to Rockhampton 2nds.

Having opted to bat first, Cam found themselves in trouble as Ryan Malpass, George Parrott and Ben Whitemore all departed early on as they reached 22-3 after 10 overs. Jake Dolbear and Ed Paddock were able to break the shackles as they powered Cam to 106 before Paddock was bowled shortly after the drinks break for 41.

Alex Ballard joined Dolbear and continued to keep the scoreboard ticking over as Dolbear reached his third half century of the season with Cam now eyeing up a sizeable total. Dolbear departed for a well-made 81 as Ballard now took control of the innings as he hit consecutive sixes to reach a fifty of his own.

Cam lost a few quick wickets towards the end of their 45 overs, as they went in search of quick runs, with Ballard eventually out to the final ball of the innings for 69. Cam’s total of 239 was very respectable after the difficult start.

George Dolling and Alex Atkinson opened the bowling for Cam and it was Dolling that found early success as he managed to dismiss both opening batsmen, safely caught behind by wicketkeeper Ben Dolbear. Atkinson then got a wicket of his own, as one of many edges finally went to hand, with Dolling taking the catch at second slip.

With Rockhampton now already way behind the required run rate, Jonny Hayward and Joe Pearson continued to keep things tight through the middle overs. Both men picked up a wicket bowled before Pearson (2-20) gratefully accepted a simple caught and bowled chance and Hayward (2-28) picked up the 7th wicket thanks to a one handed catch by Ballard.

Victory was in sight for Cam with the home side struggling on 74-7, but some attacking shots from Groves gave his side something to cheer about as he crashed 7 boundaries in a quick fire 40. Dolling returned to the attack and immediately ended the assault as he bowled Groves to collect figures of 3-11 from 8 overs.

Ben Whitemore (2-12) made light work of the Rockhampton lower order as he collected the final two wickets in the next over with Ryan Malpass taking a comfortable catch at backward point to seal Cam’s victory by 115 runs.