Saturday 31st May and Sunday 1st June
Saturday 31st May and Sunday 1st June
Kent Regional League Match - 46 overs
New Ash Green (20 pts) 178-7 (46 overs)
Snodland (3pts) 51 all out (25.2 overs)
New Ash Green won by 127 runs
Another difficult week for availability and weather eventually saw New Ash Green turn out two teams of ten, and a wicket that looked good on the surface but was still very soft underneath. A good day to bowl first, but with both sides having an umpire Paul Sumner lost the toss and New Ash Green were inserted. With Steve Boston obtaining prodigious amounts of in-swing almost from the first ball, and at the other end Nigel Bell bowling very accurately on the soft wicket it was not a day for quick scoring, but New Ash Green's top three were well suited to playing patiently and taking each ball on its merits. They lost Mattt Bushe early, beaten by the swing of Boston, though a bit unlucky to see the ball ricochet from edge to pad and just touch the leg stump. However Glen Freeman and Matthew Quantrill safely saw off the rest of the opening bowlers' initial spells, ticking over at around two runs an over. A few looseners from the change bowlers gave them a chance to up the run rate, and whilst there continued to be swing for several of the bowlers, as well as being plenty in the pitch for both seam and spin, they were able to keep a steady rate up thereafter. It was not until the over before drinks and the introduction of spin in the shape of Snodland captain Greg Thursting that the partnership of 64 was ended when Freeman was LBW to one that straightened for 22. That had given New Ash Green a solid platform, and Dean Freeman continued to build on that with Quantrill. He can seldom have batted so long without finding the boundary, but he and Quantrill added another 51 until, with 12 overs left they felt it might finally be safe to start looking to attack a bit more. By this stage Steve Boston had returned for second burst of six overs, and was still getting lots of in-swing, and when Freeman looked to play a forcing shot his legs and bat seemed to have completely different ideas about what shot they were playing, and he was bowled through the gate for 21. Karl Bartlett looked sound, but needing to try and attack where possible he swung at a full toss from Boston and was beaten by the swing and dip and bowled, and Quantrill's long innings ended on 84 when he intended to drive down the ground but instead had a tired heave across the line and was bowled by Bell. However this brought in Paul Sumner with licence to attack in the last few overs, and he and Ollie Cooper had comfortably the fastest partnership of the match, 28 in 20 balls including the shot of the day from Sumner who hit Boston's final ball way over mid-wicket and into the proposed new Garden of Remembrance for 6. Sumner, for 16, and Cooper, for 12, were out in successive balls in the penultimate over, Sumner slicing Thursting to point and Cooper bowled trying to pull the next ball. The field closed in for the hat-trick ball, something they might not have done so willingly if they had seen Ian Mellor bat before, and he proceeded to nearly take off the head of one short fielder as he hoicked it away for 2. Despite Ashley Woodward's desperate rush to change into his whites Mellor and Shaw safely saw out the final few balls of the innings, taking the final total to a very respectable 178-7.
Just how good a score that was in the conditions became obvious very soon. New Ash Green were missing Micky Sumner, but had a useful replacement in Ashley Woodward, his toes cured and ready for his first game of the season. In contrast to New Ash Green's top order, Snodland were a side with more attacking instincts that were not well suited to the conditions, and with Woodward and Ian Mellor both bowling accurately they struggled to make any headway at all. A variety of extras got them away to a marginally faster start than New Ash Green, but they soon ground to a halt, and the wickets started to flow. The first was something of a gift, when Steve Boston left a ball that was simply straight, and which hit off stump fairly square on. The next ball could have brought another, but the batsman got a just thick enough edge on it to hit the outside of Matthew Quantrill's gloves rather than going into them, and there followed a spell in which the batsman managed just one scoring shot in 46 balls. There were several chances, along the way, and inevitably one eventually stuck, Luke Shaw taking the catch at second slip. After finally conceding another run Mellor then struck twice in three balls, a short ball dying as the batsman unwisely tried to play across the line and trapping him very LBW on the second bounce, before a thin edge went safely into the keeper's gloves. At this point Mellor had 4-3 in 5 overs, and with Woodward adding another maiden in the next over the total was 9-4 after 11 overs.
The next man in for Snodland, Steve Bishop, was tall and powerfully built, and it soon became obvious that he intended to use that power. He nearly edged his first ball onto his stumps, but survived and aimed more mighty blows at nearly every ball he faced. Successive fours to long off and extra cover were followed up in the next over with a hugely powerful smash through the covers, where Luke Shaw wisely decided not to risk his fingers by trying for what would have been a sensational catch. On this wicket that sort of aggression couldn't last, though, and this proved to be the final boundary of the innings as the next mighty blow found the ball keeping a little low and slow and taking a bottom edge onto the stumps for Mellor's fifth wicket. At the other end Woodward had conceded just one leg glance for 2 in his first seven overs, and he finally got his reward with his 44th ball, the one moment of controversy in what was an otherwise very good spirited game. The ball seemed to shoot through a bit and hit Snodland captain Greg Thursting on the ankle. It was somewhere around the leg stump and both bowler and wicket keeper appealed, and after a few moment's thought the Snodland umpire, Roger Whichelow, raised his finger. Thursting stood looking bemused, and asked what he had been given out for. Though it had to be obvious he was told it was LBW, at which point he said he had hit the ball, and appealed to the fielding side's honesty. Whilst New Ash Green had no reason to doubt his honesty it has to be said that he was the only person on the field who even thought he might have hit it, so his appeals fell on deaf ears, and he had to go. He remained clearly unhappy, though possibly more about the performance of his side than the actual decision.
The next over saw Mellor pick up a sixth wicket, another batsman unwisely swinging across the line at a ball only slightly short of a length and finding it had not sat up to be hit. He then had 6-17 in 8 overs, but couldn't add to them in his last 4, finishing with 6-27, a second successive five wicket haul in a league game. Woodward had taken a break after ten overs with the remarkable figures of 1-6, with 7 maidens, and been replaced by Luke Shaw. After several Snodland bowlers had swung the ball considerably Shaw was the only New Ash Green bowler to do so. His first ball started down leg and swung back, taking a leading edge and lobbing up in the air. The bowler saw it go up and shouted ”Catch it!”, apparently not realising that he was comfortably the closest fielder to it, and leaving it to fall to the ground untouched. He made up for it with his second ball, which was straighter and struck the batsman on the pad very straight. The only possible question was the height, but on this wicket the umpire perhaps couldn't believe it could bounce high enough and raised his finger again. Shaw had a second wicket in his third over when Chris Knight, who had been consistently playing forward, did so again and was beaten by the away swing, giving Matthew Quantrill a sharp stumping chance to make up for a few byes that had been slipping past him. This left the skipper, Paul Sumner, the chance to come on and finish off the match, which he did, though not perhaps in the style he would have liked. A leg side wide was followed up with a half volley driven for 2, before the batsman chased another wide one, this time on the off side, and managed to reach it enough to scoop it in the air for the simplest of catches to one of the safest of fielders on the team, Ollie Cooper. He made no mistake and Snodland were all out for 51, a 127 run victory for New Ash Green. The return match might not be quite so easy in August, when conditions are likely to be more suited to Snodland's batting, but for now New Ash Green could bask in the glory of a job well done and a second successive maximum points victory in the league, at least in games they have been able to play.
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Kent Regional League Match - 40 overs
Upchurch (18 pts) 170-8 (40overs)
New Ash Green (12 pts) 154-7 (40 overs)
New Ash Green lost by 16 runs
Arranging to meet at the opposition ground is always a fairly nervy start to the day as the published team sheet often differs from the personnel seen wandering around the car park and an early afternoon game of spot the teammate often whiles away the spare time. Fortunately on this particular occasion, spot was indeed in attendance along with some usual cricketing culprits and a fresh faced young tyro. Once the headcount had taken place it was confirmed that we had the ten that was rumoured to be starting. Once the usual admin had taken place it was established that NAG would have a bowl first against a team threatening to be one of the stronger in the league and a tip off from the square leg umpire at the previous match that Upcurch had a nifty batsmen in their ranks. Opening bowlers Poole & Gallagher showed little concern for these allegations and bowled in an efficient if not threatening manner against the competent and circumspect Upchurch openers. At the end of the twelve over combined spell the scoreboard was left in good condition at the cost of one wicket. Batsmen came and went without racking the runs up and the first two change bowlers continued on the good work and the score was looking rosy from NAG perspective with thoughts turning to what would be a respectable score to chase. Unfortunately for NAG one of the Upcurch batsmen enjoyed his orange squash a little too much that he wanted to return to the changing rooms swiftly to finish it off and wafted at a delivery that was caught behind by Harding. This departure brought about a change in tact from the hosts and the batsmen to follow played with a bit more abandon and although not taking huge risks, scored freely and accelerated the run rate. Pouncing upon anything short, wide and loose, as may be a general rule of thumb for some in any circumstance, the middle to lower order batsmen were now taking the score to and beyond what the visitors would probably classify as a realistic target. Some good bowling from Felix Quantrill had brought about an earlier wicket, and on his first ball to the new batsmen was dropped by a daydreaming gully fielder still chuffed with an earlier catch. Regrettably, it was this batsman who was half of the attacking pair that saw Upchurch home to 170 when they were around about the sixty mark at drinks. Good bowling from Quantrill & Funnell saw them taking two wickets each aided by one each from Poole & Ives. Great work behind the stumps from Harding brought about three catches along with takes from Pike, Smith and a sharp run out from Ives accounting for the dismissed batsmen. Special mentions go to Quantrill & Funnell for showing their appreciation/ disgust for their teammates by throwing the ball at the unsuspecting fielder on one occasion each; and shrewd words of wisdom in the field from Howland & Holliday were welcomed.
After a tasty lunch in a decent clubhouse NAG ambled back to the pitch knowing they had to bat well and long in order to trouble the target set. Unfortunately, the best laid plans did not prove a platform to push on from and four of the opening five batsmen came and went without scoring the runs they would have wanted and the team needed. With the innings anchored by Funnell scoring in a circumspect manner and seeing batting partners disappearing, in came the relatively unknown batting quantity of Smith fresh from a splendid leaping two handed catch at square leg was tasked with hanging around and instructed to enjoy himself. Little did we know that we had sent in a pocket dynamo who was rapid between the stumps and all that could be seen from the scorers hut was a blur of whites as his little legs motored him to a much needed and welcomed seventeen runs. An indication of this was seen in field as he chased after anything red and moving like the march hare, discarding his cap in order to aid his hot pursuit-the phrase ‘save your legs’ did not really apply in this case. His departure brought to the crease Gallagher who was greeted by a bullish Funnell full of optimism and positive vibes that a run chase was back on and 170 was not out of reach. Funnell had now sailed past fifty well earned runs and was looking to do Upchurch what they had done to us and went after anything that was not of a good line and length looking to score off every ball. Sadly for Funnell, his partner at the crease was not keeping up with his excellent work rate and turning fours into twos was not what Funnell needed in pursuit of a ton and the team required in search of the target. Seeing three batsmen prowling the boundary rope looking fresh and perhaps eyeing up some winning runs themselves, Gallagher attempted one tired heave across the line too many and a straight loopy ball did for him and was despatched back to the shed. Upon departure instruction was passed to the incoming Holliday that the remit was now to run as much as possible and give NAG a chance of snatching victory from the jaws of defeat. What was not relayed was the warning that a call of two does not always indicate there are two runs to be had-this in turn brought Holliday back to join the other dismissed batsmen after his selfless running. In came Harding to assist Funnell in seeing NAG home to 154 adding eight runs of his own, one being described by a watching youth player as a ‘cheeky little shot’. Unfortunately the batting prowess and exuberant celebrations of Quantrill were not required, depriving him of the opportunity of remaining unbeaten throughout the weekend.
A thoroughly enjoyable and pleasant afternoons cricket played in good cricketing surroundings punctuated only by the over zealous appeals from the firsts on the neighbouring pitch-many of them rumoured to be returning from, or indeed heading for-suspension, only highlighted that cricket can still be enjoyed without having to over step the mark. Although competitive for the second match in succession, it was a second defeat in a row in games against strong opposition that NAG probably should have won. The concession of too many extras partnered with the absence of a eleventh man, particularly a death bowler that would have no qualms bowling at full lick at supposed tail enders have deprived the seconds what would have been two excellent victories. The most bonus points in the league reflect how well NAG have played and can look forward to registering a first league victory on Saturday. The day was rounded off by some free alcohol courtesy of a Funnell jug, a game of darts and in Howlanders case, an overpriced sausage roll he was persuaded to purchase by an attentive catering lady.
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Friendly Match - Proper Cricket
Boughton & Eastwell 213-6 dec (41 overs)
New Ash Green 146-8 (40 overs)
Match Drawn
Having had 9 players available on Wednesday night New Ash Green had assumed they would find one or two more to make up a full Sunday XI, but having tried everything, including asking a passer-by on the field on Saturday morning if he would like a game, they ended up resigned to playing with nine. On the morning, however, Andy Noakes unexpectedly appeared with his kit, having sent an e-mail saying he could play which seemed to have failed to arrive, so for the third time in the weekend New Ash Green took to the field with ten. Having won the toss, and knowing it was a difficult wicket to score runs on they chose to field first. However they soon discovered that whilst the wicket was slow a strong batsman, blessed with timing and confidence, could score quickly enough. Boughton opener Dan Newman is apparently in a rich vein of form this season, and was very quick to swing the bat at anything at all loose, particularly full tosses. Ollie Cooper actually bowled a respectable spell, which improved as it went on, but Newman proved to be an unforgiving batsman to get back into form against, bludgeoning the ball to the short boundary repeatedly. Matt Bushe, opening at the other end, had the advantage of the long uphill boundary on the leg side, and although he suffered a few blows, he was less expensive. The score had raced to 52 by the end of the seventh over, but Bushe put something of a brake on by bowling a double wicket maiden, one batsman getting a nick when reaching for a widish ball, and the next being bowled for a duck. Sadly, neither was Newman, and he continued to dominate. He was dropped twice, both in the deep off hard hits, but makeable catches, and lost one more partner, stumped from Edward Quantrill's bowling. Finally he made a fatal error, hitting another into the deep from James Ives' bowling, the mistake being to hit it to the bowler's father, who clearly felt he couldn't drop it off his own son, and clung on well, Newman departing for 110 out of a total of 147 at that point. Once he had gone tidy spells from Felix Quantrill, Martin Ives and in particular Michael Gallagher helped to prevent the total getting completely out of hand, with Gallagher taking one well deserved wicket with a perfect inswinger, and Ives getting one top edged straight into the air. With the freedom of a sound base Boughton were able to play fairly aggressively and took the total to 213 before a very fair declaration some 6 minutes before tea.
It soon became obvious that the run chase was not going to be easy, even with Boughton opening with two young bowlers. The wicket was still very soft underneath, and the ball died on landing, as well as moving quite a bit for the spinners. Matt Bushe and Martyn Greene both fell early to one young opener, bowling a straight medium pace and getting little bounce, which did for them both. James Ives and Edward Quantrill both played very soundly, innings that were good for their career development if not for New Ash Green's chances of winning the match, as they concentrated on playing the ball on its merits. Ives was bowled by the same opening bowler at the end of his spell, while Quantrill joined his father in putting on 47 for the fourth wicket before pushing too firmly at a leg spinner and being caught and bowled. Andy Noakes also lasted a while before getting a tiny nick behind. In the meantime Matthew Quantrill had been playing solidly, but without the strength and confidence in his attacking shots of Newman, as well as getting fewer bad balls, could come nowhere near matching Boughton's scoring rate. The situation which wasn't helped by Boughton putting fielders back and giving him singles at will, starving him of the strike. By the time Ollie Cooper joined him for the 6th wicket the target was already beyond ten an over and although Cooper tried to play aggressively he unfortunately picked out a diving Dan Newman with his second big shot and was well caught at mid-on. After that it was a case of just getting as many as possible without being stupid about it, and Quantrill and Michael Gallagher added 46 more for the 7th wicket, inducing Boughton to turn to their senior seam bowlers, Newman and Kamran Mohammed to try and finish the game off. In fact they would probably have been better off sticking with youngsters throwing the ball up, as New Ash Green weren't simply blocking for the draw and on the very dead wicket the seam bowlers were in some ways the easiest to play of all, as the ball did very little for them. They did get a wicket each, but only because first Gallagher and then Quantrill looked to attack them and skied catches, Gallagher for 14 and Quantrill for 86, but the last wicket pair of Martin Ives and Felix Quantrill were able to see out he draw with some comfort. It looks like very much a losing draw, but the difference between the sides was really just one player's strength and confidence, and with that innings out of the equation it would have been a very even game.