YOUNG all-rounder Joe Barrs took full advantage of a rare opportunity to open the batting for Saffron Walden Cricket Club on Sunday with a confident half century. Barrs knock of 59 was instrumental in securing a 64-run victory for the home side over Ardl

YOUNG all-rounder Joe Barrs took full advantage of a rare opportunity to open the batting for Saffron Walden Cricket Club on Sunday with a confident half century.

Barrs' knock of 59 was instrumental in securing a 64-run victory for the home side over Ardleigh Green CC in the Conference Cup.

Captain Neil Gladwin was delighted with his side's performance.

He said: "It was a very convincing win for us and with a lot of our stars missing from the side it was great to see the youngsters, who have come up through the ranks, play so well.

"Because there are other players higher up the order, Joe hasn't had the chance to bat very often over the past couple of years, but he opened against Ardleigh Green and did exceptionally well."

After a poor start from the captain (0), who was caught LBW by an in-swinging Yorker from Graham Bull, Saffron Walden batted their way to a total of 196.

Experienced minor counties batsman Steve Livermore (15) played his first match for the Saffron Walden first team after joining from Norwich and vice captain Simon Parmenter (36) also made an important contribution with the bat.

Gladwin said he would have liked to see one of his batsman go on to make a century, but was delighted to see so many reach double figures including Tom Price (26), James Reade (16), Fraser Hill (13) and Stephen Larsen (10).

Ardleigh Green's Simmons was the pick of the visitor's bowlers with four wickets from nine overs at a cost of 23 runs. Bull took two wickets with Ananda Krishnan and Chris Cook taking one a piece.

Medium paced right-arm bowler Fraser Hill was another young Saffron Walden player to stake a claim on a first-team spot. The 16-year-old took four wickets for 28, including three in his first over.

"Fraser's wickets changed the face of the game," said Gladwin. "Scott Baker had come in and brought the run rate right down and Fraser picked off the wickets. Our spinner Stephen Larsen wrapped up the tail end with three wickets.

"I was really happy with the way we fielded and we took all our chances. It was great to win a cup game for once - something we didn't manage to do last season."

On Saturday (May 15) Saffron Walden face Norwich CC in the East Anglian Premier League at the Anglo American Playing Fields. On Sunday they are away to Woodford Wells CC in the ECB National Club Championships.

- Saffron Walden's East Anglian Premier League match against Great Witchingham CC, which was due to be played on Saturday, was cancelled due to rain.