I lost the toss again and was asked to bat. We started very quickly reaching 100 after 20 overs and accelerating to 245 off our 45 over allocation.

Brewer 47, Stileman 48 and a fine undefeated 67 by Dai Thomas were the
pick of the batsmen.

At tea I suggested we could not possibly get to 15 overs and see 90 on the board for the home side!!! Oh dear! How wrong could I be, several missed chances, catches, run outs etc allowed Selsted to stay in control of the run chase all through the innings. No more to report really,
write it off as a bad week, lets beat B & E at home.

HUNTER
LANGRIDGE
WITHERS GREEN
SUNNUCKS P
SUNNUCKS T
STILEMAN
TAPLIN
BRANDRETH
BREWER
MATTISON
MORTIMER T

Marden Second XI V's Hollingbourne Second XI - Hollingbourne Win by 6 Wickets

Last year the victory over Hollingbourne was one of the highlights of the season so this years result was desperately disappointing, as we went into the fixture with a decent side, strong on batting although a little light on bowling.

The Hollingbourne skipper Steve Wilson had no hesitation in inviting us to bat on a dampish pitch but not necessarily one which looked likely to cause us great difficulties. The opening over’s were accurate but then Ian Gutteridge pulled up lame and was immediately replaced by a youngster Chris Harrison who certainly stepped up to the plate!! He had JJ caught in the covers and although returning for a less accurate spell later in the innings Harrison was an excellent foil for Steve Wilson as mean as ever at the other end. Wilson ended with three wickets for only eight runs in twelve over’s which included 7 maidens and cleaned out our top order of Watts, Humphrey and Jones with very few runs on the board. McCafferty (18) batted skilfully and watchfully but ironically circummed to the worst ball that Wilson bowled a full toss outside off stump which deflected onto the stumps.

Mortimer (16) and Bardsley (31) began to re-build but we were so behind the clock after 30 over’s they had a mountain to climb. Mortimer was bowled by Gutteridge immediately after the drinks break and Nigel was caught in the covers just as he was beginning to time the ball nicely on the slow wicket.

In the last 10 over’s a stand of 50 between the skipper (31 not out) and Julian Boucher (19 not out) gave some respectability to the total but 142 for 6 was well below par on a wicket which by now was flattening out alarmingly.

Lampard and Jones opened the attack as Hollingbourne made a cautious start. Lampard clean bowled both openers with 40 on the board and Jones beat the bat repeatedly as he has done without any luck all season!!

An extraordinary innings then developed from the number 3 bat Morrison a cheerful carefree character who by his own admission slogged and scraped his way to an unstylish half century which effectively saw the visitors home. Most of his shots were in the arc between mid-on and mid-wicket but hit with thunderous power. His partner in crime Mike Palmer hit the ball somewhat straighter and powerfully until he was caught off Tony by JJ at long off. Harry picked up another wicket but Morrison was still cheerfully swatting away at the other end and ultimately Hollingbourne needed less than 30 over’s to complete the win by 6 wickets.

Quite an anti climax after the demolition of Leeds last week but all credit to the Hollingbourne skipper and his outstanding bowling attack. The toss really didn’t matter as in all honesty I would have batted first!!

This week there is no game and for two weeks after that I am away on holiday. Chris will be in charge so please give him your full support and both games against Linton at Home and Runwood away are definitely there to be won with the players we have available.

Charlie, Adam , RDH, Sam, and all you youngsters … we know you are out there!! Please put yourselves forward for these two games if you are available. Best of luck.