Yalding (13 points) 142 all out (44.3 overs)
New Ash Green (20 points) 145-9 (43.1 overs)
New Ash Green won by 1 wicket

Looking to extend their lengthy winning streak New Ash Green traveled to Yalding safe in the knowledge that with no second team game they had the choice of all those available and with the added bonus of Cypriot overseas player Andy Harrington available for his first match of the season. On a worn, dry looking wicket Micky Sumner chose to bowl first on winning the toss, and produced an excellent opening spell, beating the bat numerous times. It was at the other end, though, that wickets fell with Matt Dehaney inducing a loose drive in the fourth over, well held by Andy Mayers, and then a mis-hit to Andy Harrington. Dehaney came off after six overs with 2-32 to his name, and immediately Sumner struck, getting a lifter to take the gloves and go through to the keeper. Matthew Quantrill, without a catch in 9 league games this season took that, and 5 balls later had another when Vic Mayers induced an edge in his first over. At 49 for 4 Yalding were tottering, and the hitherto respectable scoring rate slowed right down. There were a number of chances, but edges flew out of reach and those that went to hand were put down. Additionally suicidal running from Tartaria led to chances for run outs which were also spurned, or in one case blocked when Tartaria himself, apparently stranded managed to get between the fielder and the wicket and block the throw. Eventually though Tartaria took one risk too many, left himself halfway down the wicket and gave up trying to get back, so that even though Matt Bushe's underarm throw missed the stumps Matt Scanlan had time to back up, take the ball and get the bails off. In the meantime Micky Sumner had finished his spell with 1-30 from 12 and taken a gamble by throwing the ball to Andy Harrington, who hadn't turned his arm over for 10 months, to replace him. Harrington repaid the gamble by being on the spot from the start, and getting a little swing and a little variation of pace. He picked up the last five wickets, getting batsman through their shots too early and caught at mid on and mid off initially, then getting one to shoot to pin Britz in front LBW. A few lusty blows from Holmes at number 8 kept the score turning over, but Harrington struck again angling one onto leg stump much to the surprise of Gnanapriagasam who was mystified as to how his stumps had been knocked down. With time running out Holmes continued to go for it, but eventually lofted one high in the air to provide Quantrill with his third catch and Harrington with his fifth wicket – he finished with 5-35 from 10.3 overs.

Chasing 142 was well within New Ash Green's compass, and the initial bowling didn't look threatening. It soon became clear, though, that it was the pitch that was going to be the main enemy. Matthew Quantrill looked comfortable until he got one that shot straight along the ground from Britz and bowled him. Ian Martin and Matt Scanlan then both looked in complete control, until Scanlan followed a beautiful cover drive with an attempt at another one and edged it to the keeper. Andy Harrington had more trouble adapting to batting without practice than he had to bowling, and played down the wrong line to be bowled for 1. Vic Mayers edged his first ball to first slip, and although Andy Mayers survived the hat trick ball comfortably enough he was soon adjudged LBW to one he felt he had got some bat on, giving Britz a fifth wicket and leaving New Ash Green's reply in tatters on 41-5. New Ash Green do bat in depth, though, and Marc Klus and Ian Martin put together a solid stand of 27 before Martin was bowled for 25. Klus and Ian Davies then added another 26, but as things were beginning to look secure Klus holed out going for the big hit and almost immediately afterwards Matt Dehaney was given out LBW to one that he edged so clearly that the snick could be heard on the boundary. At 94 for 8 it looked all over, but Davies was still playing solidly and Mick Sumner now set about playing a captain's innings, mixing solid defence with attacking shots where possible. From looking like a consolation stand the 9th wicket pair started to get the home side nervous and then seriously worried. The balance tilted from Yalding's favour to even and then solidly in New Ash Green's favour, until with just 4 needed Sumner went back and was LBW for a superb 30. Cometh the hour, cometh Matt Bushe...Solid in defence initially he got one that went to the keeper and was spilled, a run was taken and although Bushe later said he didn't get an edge the umpire gave it as a run. A sound maiden followed, then a single for Davies and Bushey again survived the rest of the over. Two to win, and the crowd on both sides were applauding every good ball and every solid shot. There were four overs remaining, but Davies had had enough – he smashed the first ball of the next over back over mid-off for 4, and to rapturous celebrations New Ash Green were home for a second successive week.

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