2nds clinch promotion with big win

Having lost to Pembury by just 20 runs the previous week , Outwood were under no illusion as to the skill and commitment required to win the return encounter and clinch promotion. The skipper won the toss - a good start - and decided to bat.

Paul Howard and Marcus Malley soon provided the justification for this decision with an attacking opening partnership of 58 in just 12 overs, punishing anything short. Our run machine, Keith Hall, uncharacteristically failed to contribute this week so it was left to brother John (81) to provide the backbone of the innings around which others provided the flesh. A 67 run partnership with Paul Howard (87) was followed by a 62 run partnership with Chris Preen (18) and a decent run rate was maintained throughout. Dru Tunstall christened his new bat with a hard-hitting 23 in 19 balls, proving the bat to be a good long-term investment. With our full bowling attack available this week, the Outwood total of 256 for 7 appeared to have put us in a strong position.

Any hopes of an heroic Pembury victory were quickly dashed by a devastating opening spell from Dru Tunstall (4 for 20) and Marcus Malley (1 for 12 in 7 overs). Dru in particular was at times unplayable and had last weeks centurion dropped in the slips (a worrying moment) before the skipper made amends by snaffling a second offering. With the top 5 blown away in no time, it was game over. Just enough time for Jeremy to bamboozle the lower order with his prodigious inswing and pick up 5 for 2 in 4 overs as Pembury were bowled out for 81. Not only a crushing victory against promotion rivals but a consummate performance by (with a few notable exceptions) a young side. The fielding was at times electric and it must have been demoralising for Pembury to see good shots intercepted or chased down before they reached the boundary. This, along with Dru's bowling, was the biggest difference from the previous week. Chris Preen's two diving catches in the covers are also worthy of mention.

So promotion to Div. 6 assured. If we can keep the nucleus of this side together and add more up-and-coming youngsters from our Academy, it should be the first of several promotions as we rise up the league. However, there is the small matter of the Div. 7 title to be resolved next week against Bidborough.