Saturday 7th & Sunday 8th May
Saturday 7th & Sunday 8th May
Kent Regional League Match - 40 overs
LESSA Christ Church (20 pts) 163 all out (34.2 overs)
New Ash Green (7 pts) 87 all out (26.2 overs)
New Ash Green lost by 76 runs
No match report as yet
Highlights: J Nash 5-36
Click HERE for current league table.
Kent Regional League Match - 40 overs
Holborough Anchorians (20 pts) 213-4 (40 overs)
New Ash Green (2 pts) 50 all out (26 overs)
New Ash Green lost by 163 runs
The 2nd XI's first home game welcomed Holborough Anchorians 3rd XI to Manor Field with New Ash Green looking to start the season positively under new captaincy. Holborough IIIs had dropped down several leagues due to conceding numerous games last season and looked to be quite the challenge for the 2s, Holborough's early arrival showing intent having suffered a loss the previous week. With a weather forecast for a very warm day (though with large cloud patches throughout which created a rather refreshing breeze while in the field), New Ash Green Captain Glen Freeman done his first job correctly, he won the coin toss.
Freeman elected to field first, feeling that NAG had a good bowling line up and the pitch being a little green in places. Felix Quantrill opened the bowling showing some good line and length overall but also throwing in the odd full toss, sometimes to the batsmen's discomfort, but mostly their delight. The opposition's opening pair, consisting of skipper & keeper, were looking to settle but Michael Gallagher had other ideas squeezing one through the gate in his first over to claim the captain's wicket. New batsman in, Holborough began to start scoring well and pushing the run rate up early. Gallagher realising that the batsmen were beginning to get their eye in against his bowling suggested to bring on Martin Ives. Ives started his spell perfectly with his first ball pinning their No.2 back and in line striking him clean on the pads and sending him back to the pavilion having scored a quick 30. Unfortunately for NAG this began a spell of play in which Holborough took charge, mixing their batting with both attack and good defensive play when bowling was tighter. The only breakthrough was with the second bowling change bringing on Ed Quantrill and, with probably the worst ball during his spell, the batsman was unlucky to shank a full toss to Dillon Pike at mid off. The Holborough batsmen continued attacking but very good fielding was keeping the score down. Having scored a half century the No.4 batsman proceeded to walk down the wicket to most balls racing quickly from 50 to 63 and this is where he was left undone by, yet again, the first ball of Ives' second spell when he went for a walk down the wicket and missed, leaving Sean Funnell with the simple task of removing the bails. Holborough finished the innings shortly after, reaching 213-4 off 40 overs. Not an easy target to chase on any day but NAG had done very well to keep a good side from posting an insurmountable tally.
Target set, tea enjoyed and NAG headed out to bat. Holborough's opening pair of bowlers were clearly well coached and kept a good line and length throughout the first few overs. The openers, Freeman and Ives seemed content to leave anything slightly wide alone and get bat to ball on the straight ones, using the pace of the ball to pick up their runs. The opening bowlers saw the back of Ives when he was adjudged to have gloved the ball down the leg side to the keeper, bringing on Sean Funnell. With runs at a premium, both batsmen now attempted to push more runs with Funnell nicking one through to the keeper and Freeman not quite getting enough of a slower ball and the mid on fielder taking, in the words of the opposition, “a miracle catch”. Gallagher and Clark attempted to up the run rate with some success. Clark hitting 4s off his first two balls. Unfortunately Gallagher was cleaned bowled several balls later, Pike was adjudged LBW after missing one in front of his stumps and the lower order of the Quantrills, Lipscombe & Holliday contributing a few runs before having their wickets taken due to the quality of the opposition bowling, NAG were beaten well by what was a very good side, possibly too good for the 2C Central.
The match was played in a very good spirit and Holborough were great opposition. NAG will look to get a better result next week against familiar opposition in Hunton Wanderers.
Click HERE for current league table.
Friendly Match - 30 overs
NAG Drinkers 129-7 dec (30 overs)
New Ash Green 130-5 (22.2 overs)
New Ash Green won by 5 wickets
Highlights: J Clark 2-6, M Gallagher 2-17, K Bartlett 25*, M Gallagher 22, C Whittern 21;
R Wills 25*, K Cleal 20, S Glover 2-10