Clapham century gives Optis a lift

MARK CLAPHAM batted Optimists smack back into the championship chase with an undefeated century that sunk Total Cobo at the KGV. Clapham's unbeaten 103 guided his side home by nine wickets and with more than four overs to spare as they chased 178 for victory.

Optimists top order coped much better on a wicket offering the seamers some help.

Two-hundred-plus totals have become the norm at run-friendly KGV this season, but with Ami Banerjee making early inroads, Cobo never looked likely to get up to such a total.

Banerjee sent back Justin Ferbrache, Matt Oliver and Jeremy Frith with just 32 on the board and although the skipper, Stuart Le Prevost, steadied the ship with a solid 57, the league- leaders just failed to register their fifth batting point.

Veteran John Beasley enjoyed himself, taking five for 43 off 10 overs, including two neat stumpings by Ian Damarell.

Optimists also showed sportsmanship by calling Gary Rich back to the crease after he had been given out caught behind off the third ball of Banerjee's fifth over.