Date	TW Score	Opposition Score	Venue	Result	Team
03/09/05	180 for 9 wkts	Sibton Pk 151 all out	(H)	TW I won by 29 runs	TW I XI
A vital toss went Wells' way, and skipper Mark Smith had no hesitation in batting first on a hot, sunny afternoon at the Nevill, on a pitch which never played easily. Sibton Park were soon able to restrict the scoring, despite plucky cameos from Smith (28) and Gareth Williams (28), and twenty overs saw the score reach 78 for 2, with the match nicely poised. The home batting slipped to 101-4 before Richard Cutts (32) consolidated the effort, in partnership firstly with Nick Chambers, and latterly with Simon Routh, and this enabled the total to rise to 163-5 with just 8 overs to play. The rush for a further batting point saw the visitors capture 4 quick wickets as this target was attained, and a final figure of 180-9 was set as the overs ran out. Cutts was a late call-up for the injured Mark Alexander, and he played a fine knock for his side at a pinch, including 5 fours. The chase was soon in trouble at 24-3, but Sibton Park showed character and fought to take the score up to 120-5, clearly eyeing up the win. Skipper Smith rotated his attack astutely, no fewer than seven bowlers being used, but Steve Hickmott (37) and Steven Rowe (31) were equal to the task, and these two ensured that Wells had hard work yet to do. Smith himself snapped up 3-33, however, and with Jamie Baldwin and David Else making crucial breakthroughs, the equation was reduced to 45 runs or three wickets in 9 overs. To their credit, Sibton Park continued to go for the runs, but splendid deepfield catches from Chris Lawrence and then Ollie Jones brought Wells to the brink of the victory. Gareth Williams had benefitted from the latter dismissal, and his very next ball finalised matters, and the home side had triumphed by 29 runs - now it was a matter of other results. As news came in, it seemed that Wells had regained the promotion spot lost the previous week, and this was confirmed on the following day. The euphoria was palpable as the impact sunk in - Wells had regained Premiership status after a gap of two seasons, but it was a tribute to the cohesion and togetherness of the XI that victory had come, as every man had played his part in a genuine team effort. The match was played by both sides in a sporting and enjoyable fashion, in the best of spirit throughout. News from the IIs and IIIs was equally pleasing.
27/08/05	199 for 6 wkts	Canterbury 200 for 7 wkts	(A)	TW I lost by 3 wkts	TW I XI
Canterbury won the toss and put Wells in, which soon reaped reward as the innings struggled to 60-4 from 23 overs. A remarkably fine partnership then ensued, skipper Mark Smith (91 - 10 fours) leading from the front, partnered by Nick Chambers. 124 runs were added to propel the visitors to a reasonable total, Chambers notching 48, but it was the example of Smith who countered the swinging ball by standing out of his crease, that showed the way to cope. Chambers' long reach had a similar effect, and these two rescued the effort and then consolidated, the strokeplay being defiant, stylish and effective. A late flurry of runs just missed a fourth point, and Canterbury were set 200 runs for victory. Wells also began well, picking up two quick wickets, but Neil Gowers and Matthew Jenkinson then added 110 to restore the shape of the chase. Jenkinson powered 7 fours and 3 sixes in his 85, and given support down the order, the target was steadily whittled down. Wells kept taking wickets also, but not enough to prevent the victory, which came at length by the narrow margin of three wickets. Mark Smith added to his laurels with 3-37, but the defeat meant that the promotion spot was relinquished with just one more match to play - and what a climax was to be in store.
20/08/05	93 for 3 wkts	H'dale 92 all out	(H)	TW I won by 7 wkts	TW I XI
Put in on a damp track, Holmesdale never recovered from a top-notch bowling performance from Wells. Chris Lawrence starred, snapping up 4-34 in 14 overs, and support down the list meant that an under-par target was always likely. At one point, the visitors languished at 27-6. Oli Reynolds picked up 2-8 and skipper Mark Smith added 2-14, only Mark Epps at number ten in the line-up resisting for long - he and Mark Taylor jnr adding 39 for the ninth wicket. The chase occupied just 18.1 overs, anchored by a splendid undefeated knock of 39 from David Else. Wells experienced no real trouble in overhauling the modest total set, and pocketed a further 16 points to maintain their position at second in the table.
13/08/05	205 for 6 wkts	The Mote dnb	(A)	Abandoned	TW I XI
In fine conditions, The Mote won the toss and sent Wells in, and at once Mark Alexander and David Else settled in to post a solid foundation as they put together 77 runs for the opening stand. Alexander, in particular, was severe on the bowlers, with eight fours and a six, but the knock was of a more disciplined nature, as he and Ollie Jones took the score up to 115. The Mote then struck back with two wickets before skipper Mark Smith and Gareth Williams added 43, but again the home bowlers counter-attacked, and it was left to Nick Chambers with Simon Routh to hoist the fourth batting point - and then the deluge commenced. Alexander scored a fine and comfortable 69, but the innings could not be finished, and the match was abandoned with 52.4 overs still to be bowled
06/08/05	179 for 7 wkts	Blackheath 224 all out	(H)	TW I losing draw	TW I XI
The match commenced in gloomy conditions and Wells, having won the toss, put the League Leaders in to bat. At once, success attended the bowling effort as Blackheath slumped to 55-4 after 21 overs. The ascendancy for Wells continued despite firm resistance from Simon Williams, and the visitors were kept to 144-6 with 40 overs gone. Oli Reynolds (3-39) and Jan Ball (2-49) were chief contributors at this stage, notwithstanding fine support from skipper Mark Smith and Chris Lawrence. At this point, Williams had amassed 82 runs, with the accent upon firm play, but the last ten overs saw 80 runs added, Williams contributing a vital further 52 runs (with eight more fours), before the innings suddenly subsided to 224 all out, David Else grabbing 2-3. Williams, well caught in the deep for 134, had kept the innings substancial with minimal support, and ensured a daunting target total - in all he collected 18 fours and a six, Wells having enjoyed both a grand start and a speedy finale to the innings. The reply was everything required, Mark Alexander and Else posting a 5-per-over 64, but spin was then employed, and the tempo fell away dramatically. Wells crept up to 82 for 4 in 27 overs (Else 41) as Jamie Hands and Richard Woods strangled the chase. All was not in vain, however, and Smith - partnered by Nick Chambers - added a rapid and well-run 88 for the fifth partnership to keep the momentum alive. Careful and introspective at first, the stand took Wells to within 50 of the target but overs were now running out. Each player was dismissed for 42, leaving the late order to bat out the draw, which was achieved with relative ease. Hands collected 3-29, while Woods picked up 4-43, the result keeping Wells in second place and still looking towards possible promotion. All to play for as other results favoured the local ambitions.
23/07/05	144 for 7 wkts	Lordswood 141 all out	(H)	TW I won by 3 wkts	TW I XI
Wells won an important toss and put Lordwood in on a damp track upon which scoring would prove difficult. Skipper Mark Smith was able to shuffle his bowling resources skilfully with the result that, after 25 overs, the score stood at 63-2, Ian Sels (29) anchoring the effort. The home attack then steadily reduced Lordswood from a high point of 81-2 to 107-6, Jan Ball snapping up 2-45 from a second consecutive 15-over stint, assisted by a sensational one-handed slip-catch from Gareth Williams. The tail tried to build further but were consistently picked off, Smith rounding off a tight performance by picking up 4-32 from 14 overs, Oli Reynolds adding 2-36, and David Else 1-19. Manjeet Rajput (34 not out) batted through the second part of the innings, but was unable to find any real support, and Lordswood were finally all out for 141, with an unused over yielded to Wells, which was almost to prove crucial. Another fine performance in the field saw Williams pocket three catches and Ollie Jones produce a run-out. The reply stuttered to 33-2 as the wicket dried out, Mark Alexander (31) contributing a disciplined knock which was ended on the boundary as he sought to maintain the required rate, but Lordswood kept the pressure on as they tried to defend the under-par target. The runrate became subdued as each side fought hard for ascendancy, Wells battling to 85-4 from the first 25 overs, Evert Bekker playing a very fine innings to guide the chase forward. This effort dragged Wells to 115 for 6, when Bekker departed for a vital 37 (5 fours), but with only 11 overs of the allocation remaining. Jamie Baldwin then stood firm, adding further valuable runs, before the dependable Simon Routh, now partnered by Jones, ground out the final twenty runs for the win with just six balls remaining. A memorable low-scoring match brought Wells 16 points, but, more significantly, saw the clash between second- and third-placed teams resolved in their favour, providing them with a promotion spot for the first time in 2005.
16/07/05	191 for 2 wickets	Hayes 188 for 9 wkts	(H)	TW I won by 8 wkts	TW I XI
Arriving at the Nevill on a sweltering day, Hayes won the toss and batted, and settled in to wear down the experimental Wells attack of the day. Harker (42) set the early pace, supported by Allen, and 64 runs were made for the first wicket although it took up 22 overs. Chris Lawrence bowled his first seven overs for 11 runs, partnered by Oli Reynolds, but new man Jan Ball was the pick of the effort, sending down fifteen overs off the reel for his captain, thoroughly meriting his haul of two for 48. David Else and Ollie Jones provided the slower skills, and Hayes were never able to exceed four runs per over overall, so well did the home fielders support the attack. The Wells bowlers finally restricted the scoring to 48 in the last ten overs, capturing six wickets in the process, with excellent catches coming from Reynolds (2 plus a run-out), Gareth Williams and Richard Cutts, while skipper Simon Routh had marshalled his slender resources so well that the target total was some 70 runs short of par at 188-9. Allen was eventually seventh out for a sedate 75, having anchored the innings with minimal support. The reply faltered briefly on the excellent batting track, whereupon Williams and Else put together a fine consolidating second partnership of 123, Williams (13 fours) being particularly aggressive. Else at length was adjudged lbw for a compact and expertly-fashioned 58 (10 fours), but Williams went on to take his side to a splendid emphatic victory, with Nick Chambers contributing 30 not out, ending up with a well-judged and hard-hit unbeaten 84. The chase had taken up just 33.4 overs, with the result that Wells pocketed 16 points from the encounter, thereby maintaining their position in the table.
09/07/05	211 for 9 wkts	Harvel 116 all out	(A)	TW I won by 95 runs	TW I XI
Wells lost the toss and found themselves put in to bat, and straightaway lost an early wicket played-on. David Else (32) and Gareth Williams (32) built a recovery in a second stand of 65, which was followed by 34 from Mark Smith, taking the score along to 136-5 from 32 overs. The main effort for the attack came from Luke McCarthy, but the latter part of the innings featured a ninth partnership of 49 between the reliable Simon Routh (34) and fast-bowler Ben Entacott (a stylish 25 not out) which secured a fourth batting point as the overs ran out. McCarthy snapped up 6-52 for the home side. The reply also suffered an early setback, but in this instance there was really no recovery. Richard Pudney anchored the chase with a determined 42, and McCarthy added 25, but the Wells attack took the honours as the fast men reduced the score to 54-4. Chris Lawrence (2-42) and Ben Entacott (2-31) did the early damage, supported by Mark Smith, who turned to spin as his speedsters rested. Peter Ford (3.3-2-8-2) and Ollie Jones (3-12) then wrapped up matters rather smartly as 80-5 became 116 all out in just 33.3 overs. This win, completed well within the distance, earned Wells 20 points, and sees them occupy third place in the table, one point behind second-placed Lordswood, and with all to play for.
02/07/05	121 for 3 wkts	Canterbury 120 all out	(H)	TW I won by 7 wkts	TW I XI
Canterbury won the toss and batted in conditions made for the Wells attack. There was movement off the wicket from ball one under the cloudy sky, and Chris Lawrence, well supported by the remainder of the home bowling, returned excellent figures as the visitors' batting fell apart. 1 for 2 became 28-5 before Matthew Jenkinson (33) counter-attacked, but his innings was ended at 66, Lawrence having grabbed four of the wickets to fall. Simon Smith now played a vital hard-hit knock of 41 to take Canterbury beyond 100, but he received minimal support, and the innings subsided to 120 all out in just 36 overs. Lawrence had returned to remove Smith and clean up the tail, giving him a splendid haul of 6-45 from 14 testing overs, with the other bowlers used each picking up a wicket, and the bat-first decision looked to have backfired dramatically. The reply, with 64 overs available, was understandably measured and careful, but an early loss served to bring skipper Mark Smith and opener David Else together, and these two played quite wonderfully well as they posted a potentially match-winning second stand of 73. There was still some playing-and-missing, yet Smith(38) led the way with four 4s and several well-run 3s, and Else was compactness and safety itself, whilst scarcely missing a chance to attack as the line or length wavered. A desperate mix-up then saw Smith run out, but Else guided the score to 113 with Nick Chambers before he fell to a skied catch, having hit a commanding and watchful 57 (6 fours), which had taken the chase to the brink of victory. With eight runs required, the formalities were duly completed without further alarms, and Wells collected another 16-points from the game, to keep them in contention in the table.
25/06/05	202 for 1 wkt	Holmesdale 200 for 7 wkts	(A)	TW I won by nine wkts	TW I XI
Wells won the toss and bowled on this lightning fast ground, and immediately came up against South African overseas player Max Sorensen, who saw his side to a reasonable total almost single-handedly. After twenty-five overs, the score had reached 72-1, but in the second half of the innings, the visitors struck back regularly, skipper Mark Smith taking the honours with a fine haul of 4-58, supported in the field as two run-outs were achieved. Sorensen, missed at 41 in the deep from a difficult swirling drive, went on to an accomplished 82 (12 fours), whereupon the lower order just managed to grab a fourth batting point as the overs ran out. This was a fine performance from the Wells attack on a batsmen-friendly track, and now it came to the reply. Holmesdale had every reason to expect Sorensen's pace to be decisive, but Mark Alexander launched a brutal attack on this bowler, in all smashing 14 fours in a swashbuckling and expansive 61, hit out of a century-plus opening stand with the stylish David Else. Alexander needed only 66 balls for this breathtaking effort, while Aussie overseas player Else was no less effective in a serene and controlled innings, which proved to be the basis of the eventual victory. Partnererd now by Smith, these two guided the chase to fruition, Else (11 fours) ending on a splendid undefeated 81, Smith collecting a beautifully-crafted 45 not out. Just 35.5 overs were required to complete matters, Alexander hitting his third consecutive fifty, Else his second. 16 points accrued, which hoisted Wells to joint third in the table, one point off second-placed Lordswood.
18/06/05	181 for 2 wkts	Mote 178 for 7 wkts	(H)	TW I won by 8 wkts	TW I XI
Wells won the toss and asked the visitors to bat, but the Mote openers raced to 31 off 5 overs, spearheaded by their overseas Aussie Cameron McLeod (48), before skipper Mark Smith brought on Peter Ford to stem the flow. The tactic paid off, and it took a further 25 overs to raise the 100, Ford proving the catalyst with his wily spin, supported by Smith, also taking the pace off the ball. McLeod was missed from Ford's fourth ball, and again on 39, but by now the innings had lost momentum, and only some late blows hoisted the total to 178-7, Ford snapping up 2-21, and Smith 1-29. The home attack took all the honours after the dynamic start, and they did exceptionally well to pick up seven wickets on a perfect Nevill track, continuing the form they found in the previous encounter at Blackheath. The Mote opening stand had posted 75 in 19 overs, but thereafter the effort subsided as Wells took control. Now it was the turn of the batsmen, and so well did Mark Alexander (64) and David Else respond, that the partnership was not broken until 136 runs had been hit up. Alexander was his usual powerful self, notching 12 fours from only 89 balls, but Else was no less stylish (9 fours) as he anchored the chase, losing only one further partner before victory was achieved, Nick Chambers straight-driving Darren Wheeler for the winning boundary. The runs were made from 40.4 overs, and Else saw his side to the win whilst remaining unbeaten on 77, a shrewd and well-paced knock which served to send Wells up to joint fourth in the table. Mark Smith marshalled his troops confidently in the sapping conditions, and the 16-point reward was amply justified.
11/06/05	185 for 8 wkts	Blackheath 185 all out	(A)	Tied	TW I XI
Blackheath batted first on winning the toss, but found the going hard as Chris Lawrence and Ben Entacott reduced them to 38-3 during an outstanding first fifteen overs. Chris Willetts stood firm at this point, and received stout support from Simon Williams (34) as 60 runs were posted in 14 further overs, however the Wells attack gave an excellent display, now in the hands of Peter Ford and skipper Mark Smith. The home innings tottered to 130-7 before a cameo from Matt Sheppard held them up, only for Ford (3-40) and Entacott (4-44) to finish off matters, the final over providing the latter with two wickets to gain full bowling points as the League leaders ended on 185 all out. Wells set off strongly, with a powerful and assured knock from Mark Alexander proving irresistable. 75 runs were posted for the opening stand with David Else, Alexander slamming 10 fours and two sixes - one almost out of the ground - in a scintillating innings of 83 from 111 balls. All seemed set fair for Wells, but some nervous middle-order batting restored the initiative to Blackheath, as the chase moved uncertainly to 172-7. Ford again showed resolve, despite a further loss, as he and Entacott manoevred Wells to a share of the points at 185-8, yet it could be wondered whether a victory might not have been achieved after Alexander's splendid innings. This was a thoroughly enjoyable game, played on a ground with an eccentric outfield, which gave rise to several extraordinary ball-deviations, making fielding a new science, yet the abiding memory was of a re-invigorated Wells performance, which should set a standard for the remainder of the campaign.
04/06/05	156 for 9 wkts	Broadstairs 160 for 3 wkts	(H)	TW I lost by 7 wkts	TW I XI
Losing the toss in uncertain weather conditions, Wells were inserted and made a reasonable start as the score reached 102 for 3, with skipper Mark Smith (39) playing a most skilful innings on a low-slow Nevill wicket, receiving powerful assistance from Mark Alexander (29). Despite three rainbreaks and an early tea, Smith's effort showed great determination and ability as Broadstairs bowlers' took the pace off the ball, making scoring diffcult throughout. Smith's dismissal triggered a flurry of wickets, halted only by the customary resistance from 'keeper Simon Routh (34), who ensured Wells went the distance and gained two batting points as he rallied the tail effort, receiving sound support from spinner Peter Ford and Nick Chambers. The home total closed with 156-9, setting the visitors an interesting task which promised a close encounter. For Broadstairs, Andy Marshall snapped up 5-59. The response was soon in trouble at 58-3, with burly pinch-hitter Terry Bond striking a rapid 27, before Neil Brennan settled in to an unbroken fourth partnership of 102 with Paul Ogburn. Brennan (14 fours) scored freely around the wicket as conditions eased, eventually ending undefeated on a matchwinning 85 not out, as Broadstairs coasted home with no further setbacks and with several of the last twenty overs in hand. The pace of the innings was maintained at better than four-per-over throughout, no mean feat in the face of the Wells' attack, which featured 5 overs from overseas player Davis Else as Wells strove for further breakthroughs. No other wicket was to be captured, however, which was ample testimony to the aggressive knock fashioned by Brennan, thereby denying any hope the home side harboured of victory. Broadstairs took 16 points from the match, to an under-par three by the Wells.
28/05/05	131 all out	Lordswood 268 for 9 wkts	(A)	TW I lost by 137 runs	TW I XI
On a sunny but windy afternoon at Lordswood, Wells won the toss and elected to bowl first, but the small ground with its batsman-friendly drop to the boundaries, played into the hands of the home order, which scored at over 5-an-over throughout the innings, notwithstanding the early loss of two quick wickets to Ben Entacott (3-68). Alan Pattenden (50) and Peter Stock (66) cracked 81 for the third wicket to lay the foundations of a daunting target total, which was assured when Paul Richards - badly missed early on in the deep - hit up a quickfire 63 before Peter Ford applied some pressure with his brand of canny spin-bowling. Picking up 4-44, Ford put the brakes on the home advance, which nevertheless required Wells to make 269 to win as the overs ran out. The response saw twenty runs up in just two overs, David Else and Gareth Williams (35) taking their opening partnership on to 53 after 14 overs, whereupon Harminder Singh was introduced into the attack with immediate effect as he ran through the Wells' line-up almost single-handedly. 53-0 became 74-7 in an amazing turnabout whch saw Singh snap up 6-17 in 11 overs of unorthodox spin, bowled with an unusual action, as the visitors' middle order was erased. Simon Routh then stood firm, receiving staunch support from Peter Ford, as 52 runs were added for the eighth wicket, but Lordswood were not denied the win for long once this resistance was broken, wrapping up the match by an overwhelming 137-run margin with more than nine overs to spare. Routh played a lone and defiant innings looking to avert a Wells defeat, and deservedly remained undefeated on 44, comfortably the highest score of the innings. Wells took an underpar 6 points from the encounter but remain second in the table, awaiting the Mote-Canterbury result, delayed due to the upcoming County game at Maidstone.
21/05/05	204 for 7 wkts	Hayes 131 for 9 wkts	(A)	TW I Winning Draw	TW I XI
In windy yet clear conditions, Wells lost the toss and were put in to bat, with immediate success for the home side as the innings slumped to 31-3. The damage was done by Hayes' overseas Aussie Dean Merola (3-39) whose seam bowling made the initial breakthroughs, only to be thwarted in a long and skilful fourth partnership between the youthful Evert Bekker and in-form Nick Chambers, which added a vital 96 runs to firstly settle the innings and then lay the foundations of a matchwinning target total. Bekker (55) - still some months from his 18th.birthday - notched his maiden First Team half-century and played skilfully while always keen to despatch the shorter bowling, and with Chambers (53) providing doughty support, the total was raised to 127 after 32 overs before Bekker departed. Chambers contrived then to rally the tail, ably assisted by Peter Ford (27 not out), and Wells finally topped 200 for maximum batting points and a daunting total for Hayes to chase. The home response never really amounted to much more than a rearguard action after Chris Lawrence snapped up 3-37, ably assisted later by the wiles of spinner Peter Ford, and wickets fell at steady intervals before a defiant and saving unbeaten effort from Hayes' skipper Ollie Waite kept the visitors from taking the full winning points. Ford picked up 5-39, but the not out 52 from Waite did just enough to enable Hayes to escape defeat by the narrowest of margins. Wells took 14 points from the encounter, however, which was well within their target in the campaign, and remain securely placed in the table, with third spot, just seven points off the lead.
05/05/05	150 for 7 wkts	Sibton Pk 117 for 8 wkts	(A)	TW I Winning Draw	TW I XI
Put in on an 'effort wicket', Wells took the score into the sixties for the loss of one wicket as David Else (29) and skipper Mark Smith (44) made steady progress. The home side - aided by some former Folkestone players - then struck back, reducing the visitors to 114-6. Some careful play from Elliott Hughes and Ollie Jones allowed Wells to take a second batting point, and an interesting target total was set of 151. Sibton Park were soon reduced to 28-3, but George Leadbetter(32) rallied the chase until the effort faltered gradually to 83-7. Peter Ford snapped up 3-24 with his canny spin bowling, and, supported by Ben Entacott (2-31), saw Wells into a strong position. The tail, however, proved that wicket-taking was not easy, and crept to a losing draw as the overs ran out. Wells' tally in a drawn game kept them at the head of the table, but with no game in the following weekend, left open the prospect of new challengers.
01/05/05	133 for 9 wkts	Harvel 132 all out	(H)	TW I won by one wkt	TW I XI
Upon winning the toss, Harvel elected to bat first, only for Chris Lawrence (4-24) to send them reeling with a magnificent spell of accurate seam bowling. The early damage brought Harvel down to 7-3, Lawrence claiming all three, before a fightback was led by Gary Whatman (27), which hoisted the total into the fifties before another flurry of wickets was captured. The visitors tried to defy the rampant Wells attack, but Mark Smith and Grant Stephens helped to reduce the score to 83-6, before Ben Entacott (2-24) and Ollie Jones (2-15) wrapped up the tail with eight overs unused by the visitors. This left Wells to make 133 for victory, with a possible 58 overs at their disposal. The home batsmen quickly posted 28 before Harvel broke through, a classy cameo from overseas player David Else to the fore. The attack now fought for all they were worth to defend their meagre total, and run-scoring became difficult, but seventeen-year-old Evert Bekker (38) - on debut in the First XI - held firm and became the catalyst as Wells reached 105-6. Evert's staunch and path-finding knock held the innings together, with doughty support from skipper Smith and Grant Stephens. Again the Harvel bowlers struck back, but Ollie Jones and Ben Entacott added a vital seventeen runs to bring the scores level before the former was out, and, fittingly, last man Lawrence strode out to strike the winning runs and relieve the tension. A tough and spirited match, strongly contested to the last, brought the Wells 16 points by the narrowest of margins, and set the 2005 Campaign off on a winning note.