Friendly Match

New Ash Green 144-6 dec.
East Malling 145-3
New Ash Green lost by 7 wickets.

The value of September cricket was proved by beautiful weather and a lovely setting at Bradbourne House. Unfortunately New Ash Green's performance, though a huge improvement on the previous week's, could not match the setting.

A good looking wicket and hot weather tempted Pete Burke to bat on winning the toss, and against the slow, nagging accuracy of Nigel Davision and the pace of James Davison Matthew Quantrill and Dan Lewsey started well, putting on 28 in the first 5 overs. Nigel Davidson soon tightened up and the freak dismissal of Quantrill by a ball that popped and struck several parts of his body before somehow finding its way onto the stumps also slowed the run rate. The opening bowlers went on for some time, and neither Lewsey nor Dominic Adolphe were really able to get the ball away though both survived reasonably comfortably. As time ticked away they became more and more desperate to score, but never really took control, though Adolphe managed a few good blows on his way to 57 before being caught on the boundary. One or two good blows aside the remaining batsmen also struggled and the score of 144 at tea looked well short of ideal.

With James Davidson also opening the batting, and looking a better batsman than bowler, the score looked decidedly inadequate, although Matthew Pennell produced an excellent spell, beating the bat a number of times with late swing, but having no luck. The opening stand was broken, almost literally, by a ball from Blair Wilson which jumped and struck Davidson on the finger forcing him to retire hurt. Nonetheless although not scoring freely chasing such a low score East Malling looked to be comfortably heading for victory before a dramatic turnaround when Pete Burke struck with a hat-trick, all clean bowled, climaxing dramatically with one on leg stump which the nervous young batsman stepped inside, not allowing for the swing which caused the ball to straighten and take leg stump. At that moment New Ash Green looked to be back in the game, but East Malling took control back by sending in their one man team again - James Davidson returning to knock off the runs with ease, finally getting his eye in and hitting the ball pretty much wherever he liked as he secured the win with time to spare.