Downham Stow left frustrated by rain in draw

Downham Stow were left frustrated by the rain on Saturday after a brilliant batting performance had set up a potential first win in the longer format of the EAPL.After a delayed start due to the rain, Downham Stow were asked to bat first on what looked like a good pitch, in a 44-over game. After losing Finlay Wilcox early, Will Denny (21) and Ben Wilcox (18) built the foundations of the innings.After Denny inexplicably ran himself out, and Wilcox went softly, it brought Freddie Fairey and Arthur Wilcox to the crease.The pair put on a brilliant partnership of 181 made up of patient batting and sumptuous stroke play all around the ground.After Wilcox fell for a brilliant 85, Freddie Fairey brought up his first EAPL 100, a ridiculously good innings under pressure.He ended on 110 not out and along with a quick cameo of 25 not out from Hudson De Lucchi, Downham Stow set a formidable target of 273 to win.After more rain, Ashmanhaugh only had 39 overs in which to chase down the target. Their task was made even tougher when Brett Stolworthy struck with the first ball of the innings, a big in-swinger clattering into middle stump. Two more wickets quickly followed, one each for Stolworthy and Arthur Wilcox, before A&B shut up shop and waited for the rain.The rain duly obliged, leaving the home side on 61 for 3.Downham Stow picked up 14 points to move up to fourth in the league table. Tomorrow, Downham Stow hosts Bury St Edmunds at Stow Hall.Maurice Crouch MoM: Freddie Fairey.