The sides looked evenly match although it is fair to say that there were probably some more youthful legs in the visitors team, so to bowl them out for 180 was a major achievement.

Murray and Burdge opened the attack and kept things tight early on with Burdge in particular using the wind to his advantage picking up 3 of the top 5 bowled or LBW. Nigel was in sparkling form standing up to John and keeping up the pressure when Gareth came on at the hedge end. Gareth bowled brilliantly removing the opener with a classic leg break and ended his 12 over’s spell with 3 for 42.

At 78 for 5 the visitors were in serious trouble but extracted themselves thanks to 59 from their skipper John Swannick who was reprieved twice after hitting skiers, agonisingly close to fielders. Swanick clouted Murray for a couple of big sixes but was eventually run out. Then Murray had the last laugh bowling the number 11 batsman off the last ball of the innings for maximum bowling points.

The Marden reply against a lively young bowling attack was mixed. RDH dragged on in the second over and Rupert (25) and Chris (28) put on 40 with Rupert in particular going like a train in his first innings of the summer. An extra cover drive off the young quick bowler was the “shot of the day” and when this was repeated soon after there was a mis-field which resulted in Chris and Rupert both standing at the same end! A sad end to a classy knock.

Thornycraft the leg spinner put the brakes on with Burdge and Watts needing to be watchful and then Nick was out to a stunning one handed caught and bowled by the spinner. Nigel hit a brisk 29 including 6 4’s to regain the initiative but soon followed Chris (both LBW) into the pavilion. At 113 for 5 there was still plenty of work to be done but Adam Fraser on his Marden debut and the skipper added 68 (Fraser 50 not out, Thomas 24 not out) runs for the sixth wicket to win the game comfortably in the end with 5 over’s to spare. Fraser hit a big 6 over the pavilion and pulled 2 consecutive 4’s through mid-wicket in the last over to win the match and bring up his half century. Having bowled tidily earlier Adam was voted man of the match. A full bath again and two out of two – Belated congratulations to Nigel who won his man of the match cap against Eynesford for his 83.

This Saturday the team travel to Sheldwitch meeting from 12:15 at the Red Lion in Baddlesmere which is only a short drive from the ground. The weather again looks iffy so keep mobiles switched on.