Match Reports 31st May 2003    

Sheldwich 1st XI v Bearsted 1st XI

In his first match as Captain, Ron Brown had some early set backs when Gareth Hill withdrew on the day and Matin Noakes was unable to take the field until halfway throught the Bearsted innings due to a car pile up on the way to the ground. In effect losing two of his bowlers, things didn`t improve when Bearsted won the toss and decided to bat on a very hot afternoon.

Simon Smith and Ron Brown opened the bowling in 30 degree heat and Smith struck in his 1st over with an easy catch to Andy Carr at midwicket. The introduction of Dave Prior and James Hadlow on his debut kept the score in check until the 16th over with the score at 56-1. Ritchie Holland went for 15 in his 1st over as Bearsted tried to breakout and although his 2nd over was tight , once again his 3rd over went for 3 x 4`s.

Bringing back the strike bowler worked a treat as Simon Smith immediately bowled a wicket maiden with a lbw reducing Bearsted to 87-2 at the halfway stage. It seemed Brown`s & Sheldwich`s luck had changed  when Smith made another breakthrough having the Bearsted captain caught behind by Mills, Martin Noakes bringing the fielding side up to a full team, and Jim Ansley brilliantly running out the new batsman for 0, making the score in the 26th over : 94-4. Dave Prior at this stage had bowled superbly with 7 overs for 10 runs. 

Prior was the next to get a wicket at the start of his next spell with an easy catch to Martin Noakes to make it 126-5 in the 32nd over. James Hadlow deservedly claimed his first 1st XI wicket with a fine yorker to make it 148-6 but this was to be last success until the last ball run out. R Luxton continued to bat with assurance and completed his hundred and despite some good fielding in oppressive conditions Bearsted were able to rack up 209-7 at the end of their 46 overs with Noakes wishing he had stayed in the car jam when his 3 overs were blasted for 30 in the late flourish.

All in all, 209 was probably about 10 under par in such hot conditions and a pretty good batting wicket, so at the half part of the match Sheldwich were reasonably happy. Over to the Batters!!

Unfortunately the new opening partnership in the absence of the prolific James Creed, failed to gel and Danny Ray`s early season poor form continued when he was bowled for only 5. Jim Ansley quickly got into his stride and hit 5 x fours, but 3 quick wickets reduced Sheldwich to 47-4 when Ansley & Carr were caught behind and Prior was caught and bowled. Only Darren Halls with some excellent strokeplay kept the board ticking over as Sheldwich continued to lose wickets at the other end. Mills bowled, Noakes completing a miserable day for him out for a duck, and Holland for 6 brought the score to 105-7. Halls after reaching 41 was unfortunately given out lbw by R Berryman when he not only hit it but was playing it above the top of his pad. With him went any hopes and although the tail put on another 29 runs a poor batting display came to an end when James Hadlow was bowled in the 37th over and Sheldwich were all out for 134.

Sheldwich looked a very tired and dejected team at the end, and the heat of the afternoon must be partially to blame for this, although they will be more than disappointed by their batting efforts on a good pitch and a not very threatening attack.