Holcombe keeps Calne on the right track

3:55pm Thursday 3rd July 2008

DARREN Holcombe kept Calne's Wiltshire League Division One title bid on track and cost opponents Bradford a small fortune in lost cricket balls.

Holcombe made an unbeaten century, hitting ten sixes and losing seven balls on the nearby railway line in the process.

He also hit six fours as he recorded an excellent 105 off the final ball of the innings from Adam Cooksey to lead Calne to a total of 219 for nine, which was a great recovery after a slow start.

Home side Bradford had won the toss and put unbeaten Calne into bat on a damp wicket.

Excellent bowling from captain Matthew Harrington and Kiwi Nic Jepson restricted Calne early on and they crawled to 60 for three from 20 overs with Jepson capturing two wickets and Harrington one.

The Calne innings then got going as Holcombe overcame a shaky start to his innings when two catches were put down to take the attack to the Bradford bowling.

Cooksey recorded the best bowling figures with 11-0-46-4, with Harrington 12-5-46-3 and Jepson 12-2-43-2.

The Bradford reply got off to a disastrous start with James Edwards out for a duck in the first over and Harrington quickly followed him to the pavilion for three in the fifth over.

A 43 run fourth wicket partnership between Clive Warren and James Pike put Bradford back in the game but when Warren fell for 22 and Graham Long followed two balls later for a duck, Calne were sensing a quick victory.

Pike then went on the attack and a 71 run partnership with Dean Bird put Bradford back in the game, but when Pike fell for an excellent 94 from just 92 balls Bradford were 167 for seven.

Some lusty blows from Paul Ashton (25 not out) and Nic Jepson took Bradford to 200 for eight from their 45 overs to record a second consecutive 19 run defeat.

The pick of Calne's bowlers were Stu Whitty, with 3-33 from 10 overs, and Pete Knight, with 3-57 from 12.

Calne are now clear at the top of the table having recorded nine wins from nine games.

Theatre, Art & Cinema

The Nutcracker

Tuesday, December 2 to Saturday, December 6, Theatre Royal Bath. NORTHERN Ballet Theatre (NBT) makes a welcome return to Bath with its highly acclaimed production of The Nutcracker.

Arc Theatre latest with theatre director Tracey Sullivan

PANTOMIME Robinson Crusoe opened this week, produced by local amateur company Footlights.

New Spring season

Wyvern Theatre, Swindon. IF you are choosing to be choosier with your money this spring, look no further than the Wyvern Theatre for a season packed full of shows and fine dining, you’ll be spending your money wisely.

A Christmas Carol

Wharf Theatre, Devizes, Friday, December 5 – Saturday, December 13. ADAPTED by Christopher Schario and based on the story by Charles Dickens, Linda Swann directs the Wharf Theatre’s Christmas offering.

Changeling (15)

ANGELINA Jolie makes a strong bid for an Oscar nomination with her tour de force portrayal of a crusading mother in Clint Eastwood's harrowing drama.

What Just Happened? (15)

BASED on noted film producer Art Linson's memoir, What Just Happened? satirises the inner workings of Hollywood, as seen through the eyes of a middle-aged producer suffering a crisis of confidence.

Four Christmases (12A)

REESE Witherspoon and Vince Vaughn fail to impress in this lifeless romantic comedy.

Choke (18)

ADAPTED from the nihilistic novel by Chuck Palahniuk, Choke is a black comedy about a 30-something sex addict who happily acknowledges his yearnings and willingly attends rehabilitation meetings because it allows him to prey upon and sleep with fellow sufferers.

Singing sensation

MELKSHAM Soprano singing sensation Rhiannon Lambert will be lining up for a top Christmas concert date in Bath on December 13.

The Gig Guide

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 28