Sherwood (20 pts) 206 all out (45.4 overs)
New Ash Green (5 pts) 56 all out (29.1 overs)
New Ash Green lost by 150 runs

After a promising start to the season New Ash Green returned to the problems of the past with a vengeance for the first league weekend of the season, with some 20 or so potential league players unavailable. A heroic effort produced two sides, but the first team against Sherwood consisted of the core of what should be the first and second teams on most weekends. With no umpire the toss was conceded, and the makeshift line up took on one of the most powerful batting orders in the league. Micky Sumner produced an excellent opening spell, troubling both batsmen with pace and movement, while Dan Lewsey started poorly but recovered to also bowl a tidy spell. Sumner was rewarded with the wickets of both openers, both bowled, and having threatened to set the foundation for a huge start Sherwood were slowly reeled in. The change bowling of Any Mayers and Keith Bushell carried on the good work, and Bushell in particular was the surprise package, rarely being hit and causing all the batsmen problems. Mayers suffered from a few big hits, but picked up wickets as well, and Sherwood were never able to produce the big acceleration that had always threatened. Bushell picked up a fifth wicket to his last ball, while Mayers took a third, the last to fall, to ensure maximum bonus bowling points in the final over. With only ten men a huge effort in the field was required, and particular plaudits should go to Matt Clark for his efforts in keeping the runs down.

With only ten men and so many regulars missing chasing over 200 was never going to be easy, and was made all the more difficult by Ian Martin's knee problems and Matthew Quantrill suffering a bruised foot picked up keeping wicket. Nonetheless Sherwood's bowling was not in the same class as their batting, and here the drop in standard that has come with the drop in division was evident - a full strength and fully fit side would certainly have fancied their chances chasing this total. As so often, though, when things are going against you luck deserts you as well. After a slow start Ian Martin found a fielder and Matthew Quantrill was given out caught off his thigh. Andy Mayers looked in promising touch, but was given LBW well forward, and after that confidence and luck deserted all the batsmen and the innings tailed off to a disappointing finish.

Scorecard
Current League Table

Sherwood (20 pts) 323-3 (46 overs)
New Ash Green (1 pt) 40 all out (27.4 overs)
New Ash Green lost by 283 runs

With so many missing and most of the second team regulars who were available making up the first team, this was always going to be a tough game - but thanks to the efforts of all those who were prepared to play it fulfled its main purpose - 1 league point attained rather than 5 conceded for a forfeit. Plenty of people got a go at bowling, with Martin Bartlett being very tidy in opening before suffering an injury. Matt Bushe was also relatively inexpensive bowling later in the innings, and Olly Cooper, Ryan Marsh and John Holwand picked up a wicket each. Matt Lemon, on his senior debut, bowled nine overs which seems to have inspired him on his return to colts cricket on Sunday morning!

With even bonus points pretty much out of reach it was a case of have a bat and enjoy it in the second innings, and while no one made many there were a few little contributions. Olly Cooper top scored with 7, while Matt Lemon, with 5 not out also contributed. No great achievements today, but hopefully the start of better things to come for all the youngsters involved.

Scorecard
Current League Table

East Malling 162-8 (40 overs)
New Ash Green 156 all out (39 overs)
New Ash Green lost by 6 runs

A tidy opening spell from John Harley, together with long spells from Andy Mayers and Dan Lewsey later in the innings, and plenty of catches held, including a catch (and a run out) from the increasingly confident Tim Cooper, meant that New Ash Green kept East Malling in check throughout the innings and left themselves a very gettable target of just over 4 runs an over.

The reply didn't get off to the best of starts, slumping to 28-5, but the combination of Andy Mayers and Lee Saunders launched a recovery, and after Mayers was out Saunders carried on to make his fifty before falling with the winning post in sight. David Harley had joined him at the end to become the third New Ash Green batsman to reach double figures, but once he was out his brother couldn't quite take the baton home, being bowled to the last ball of the penultimate over to end a thrilling game.

Scorecard