ONE wicket down and halfway to a modest target, it seemed for all certainty that Calne would ease to victory over Malmesbury in Wilts One on Saturday.
But an extraordinary recovery, fronted by James Pickering and ably assisted by Richard Gaunt and Jack Ward, hauled Phil Jordan’s side back from the brink and on their way to a 13-run success.
Pickering took 3-27, including the breakthrough wicket of Jordan Butler leg before for 51, after Butler and Chris Downham had taken Calne to within sight of the 192 needed for a win after a solid second wicket partnership.
But when Downham lost his off stump to Jack Ward, Malmesbury seized on their opportunity.
Pickering and Gaunt decimated the visitors’ middle order and only Stuart Witty, with 38 not out from number 10, coped with the home side’s variation as Calne were bowled out for 184.
Earlier in the day, James Pearce-Smith, Michael Collison and Gaunt all managed starts, but none could pass 30 before Ward smashed 64 to set a challenging, if not insurmountable target.
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