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Sheldwich 2nd XI v West Farleigh 2nd XI

After last week's so narrow defeat at the hands of champions-elect Bearsted, the Sheldwich boys bounced back to victory, thrashing a hapless West Farleigh side by 195 runs, on the hottest, stickiest afternoon of the summer so far.

Skipper Stanford won the toss and elected to bat, and, leading from the front, scored a rapid 60. With support from Gary Metcalfe (35), we were well up with the clock, until a flurry of wickets reduced us to 117 for 4 just after the midway stage of the 46 over innings. Enter Ian Hulks, who recognised that early caution would lead to the chance to score freely against a wilting attack and fielding side, and David Knight, who struck several boundaries, but did his best to give the strike back to Hulks at every opportunity. They put on 168 for the fifth wicket before they both fell in the last over, Knight for 59, run out trying to give Hulks the chance to complete a century. He however was yorked by the final ball, bowled for 99 - an innings of savage strokeplay, particularly after he had passed 50.

West Farleigh looked intent on only survival as they replied to the daunting task of getting 286 in 44 overs to win. Tight bowling, especially from Danny Bland, further increased the asking rate, and the introduction of Jon Taylor and Timmy George brought wickets, until George retired from the fray with a damaged index finger on his bowling hand. Stanford completed his over, and bowled on, while the end came swiftly as David Knight completed a very satisfactory day, picking up a handy 3 for 10, to enable post-match drinks to be taken far earlier than anticipated. In theory we might have had to bowl another 17 overs !

30 points in the bag, and the prospect of ending the season on a high lies ahead with fixtures against Headcorn (away), and two home games against Horton Kirby and Hollingbourne to end the season. We need Timmy George to be fit for all three.

D Knight  Scorecard