New Ash Green 183-7 dec. (42 overs)
East Malling 140-9 (39 overs)
Match Drawn

A return after a break of a few years to the pretty Bradbourne Agricultural Research Station ground saw a novelty in that the weather was bright and sunny, though the wicket has not improved in the intervening years. Having trounced this opposition a few weeks earlier John Harley was full of confidence and opted to bat first. Ian Martin and Joe Elisak gave the side a sound start before Elisak was bowled, and John Howland followed soon afterwards. Matthew Quantrill joined Martin and they were fairly comfortable in adding 76 for the third wicket, a partnership which would have been worth a great deal more had the bounce on some of the poor balls bowled been a little more even. In the end it was a run out which broke the partnership, a recovery from a misfield and great throw from the boundary catching Martin short on 63. Quantrill struck a few more blows before managing to get a bottom edge to one that didn't bounce on 49, and Lee Saunders and Olly Cooper kept the tempo going to the end.

183 looked a good score in the conditions, especially against a side weaker then they had been when they collapsed to 18-6 a few weeks previously. However on that occasion skipper Gavin Wenborn had been bowled first ball, and this time he showed what he could do if he got his eye in. He started steadily but once he had his eye in took the attack to the bowlers, moving to 47 before being beaten by Lee Saunders, trying once too often to slash across the line. 78 had been added for the first wicket, and his opening partner, James Pude kept things going on his way to a maiden fifty, but he found little support from the other batsmen. Once Pude had gone, to the returning John Harley, the rest showed little desire to chase the win, and the game seemed to be heading for a draw. The introduction of spin in the shape of Joe Elisak started tempting them, and this was followed by more temptation in the form of John Howland. Having been the leading wicket taker after the first game of the season he hasn't had much further opportunity to show his wares other than a brief spell on tour, but he soon picked up a wicket with a leg side stumping that was surprisingly not called a wide. With Elisak picking up the most plumb of LBW's the game was suddenly live again. Howland bowled the final over to the very young number 10 and to what turned out to be the penultimate ball of the season he pulled it and was well held by Martin Fry at short mid-wicket, qualifying Howland for the bowling averages and giving him the chance to supplant Jasper Holliday at the top! Number 11, Nigel Davison, had not been out all season, but there was a big appeal as the final ball struck his pads – the umpire thought for a moment before deciding he couldn't face the wrath of his team mates and giving it not out, leaving the game drawn, and seeing both teams heading for the pub to enjoy the excellent, and free, post match food provided by the landlady.

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