Not one for the purists

By Ashley Middleton

Another first versus second clash in the league for the 1s. This week’s opponents, Cudham Wyse, have notched up some impressive victories this year with their new look first eleven.

Last year's meeting with the ECB pitch advisor seems to have been time well spent as the 1s returned home to a fantastic looking pitch prepared by Roger. A tinge of green left on top and the sun basking down, Skipper Norman elected to bowl first. The word 'ruthless' has been used fairly regularly this year and was no less present when the Cudham skipper asked to delay the start due to missing players. Matt pondered this request for at least 3 seconds before requesting the unfamiliar openers to enter the amphitheatre at 1300hrs sharp.

Based on previous encounters, we knew what to expect. The Cudham batsman would go at our bowlers hard and the vast majority of shots would be aerial. In regular fashion, Blease and DRUTUNSTALL opened up with some tight opening overs. A couple of early wickets soon changed the tempo as the Cudham number three decided to try and hit every ball to Smallfield. Its pretty difficult to set a field to a batsman when the batsman hasn't a clue where the ball is going. Dru persevered and duly got his reward; one shot too many and a fantastic catch with decent hangtime from Harry Crawford saw the destructive number three trudging back to the pavilion.

What ensued was 'not one for the purists'. With further tight bowling from Talbot and Louis, we picked off the middle order with little resistance, most wickets being caught. Cudhams tail provided some resistance and even began to defend balls, allowing them to progress to a below par 160 all out off 35 overs.

In Mark Lane's absence (a wine festival in the south of France taking priority over a top of the table clash), Blease got pushed up the order to open with Henry, who was returning to the 1s after his stint of bullying division 6 bowlers. The left right combination didn't allow the Cudham openers settle, with runs and extras flowing in the early overs setting us up for the chase.

Henry departed first after being undone by a well disguised slower ball for a quickfire 30, Blease followed not long after when he was struck on the ankles infront of all three. Ashley and Louis began to rebuild before the former gave catching practice to a nonchalant first slip. At this point Cudham thought they were back in the game, stand up Louis Russell Watts. Seeming as if he cannot mis-time the ball lately even if he tried, Louis dispatched the Cudham bowling to all corners of the OCG for a 50 ball 66*. With the total in sight and with a little help from 2 generations of Cleavers, he took us over the line in 27.1 overs.

A big win for the Wood and an early finish sees the 1s create some breathing room at the top of the table with 6 from 6. Next week we remain at home against the self declared Bumees of Meopham. With skipper Norman absent it may not necessary be as simple as the league table shows