Date	TW Score	Opposition Score	Venue	Result	Team
03/09/05	204 for 8 wkts	Vine 219 all out	(A)	TW II Losing Draw	TW II XI
On this crucial last day of the season where Tunbridge Wells knew they needed a minimum of 8 points to stay in the Premier League, they got off to a bad start having lost the toss, and the Vine elected to bat. The Vine made good early progress, but Grant Stephens bowled 14 very impressive overs on the trot, and the Vine were reduced to 72 for 7 off 21 overs. Excellent support was provided by Rob Sharma and Freddie Florry. Whilst a couple of hard chances were provided, the Vine rode their luck and partnerships of 60 for the 8th wicket, 42 for the 9th wicket, and 45 for the last wicket illustrated the depth of the Vine's batting line-up - they were all out in the last over for 219. In reply, the Wells made a steady start before losing their first wicket at 41. Harry Florry (40) and Tim Luckhurst continued the pursuit before Luckhurst was caught in the deep. Whilst wickets kept falling, the required run-rate was being maintained, and excellent knocks by Rob Sharma (36 - including 2 sixes) and Greg Brunger (25) ensured that Tunbridge Wells reached the first target which was 200 runs to get maximum bonus points. However, they finished 15 runs short on 204 for 8, which in the end proved enough to keep them in the Premiership.
29/08/05	179 for 7 wkts	St.Lawrence 207 for 8 wkts	(H)	TW II Losing Draw	TW II XI
On a very hot afternoon at the Nevill, Wells asked St.Lawrence to bat, and the first twenty overs saw 90 runs hit up while just three wickets were taken. James Medhurst (44) led the way before being spectacularly run out from the boundary by Richard Cutts, and support was forthcoming down the list before Wells changed tactics. Turning to spin, the scoring was reined in, as James Nethercott (2-32) and Raj Sharma (2-35) - assisted by more good catching - saw to the fall of four wickets while the score rose to 155. The final ten overs brought 52 runs for one further wicket, however, and the target left was a demanding 208 for victory. The visitors' young attack soon reduced the reply to 44-2, before a fine third partnership of 77 between Harry Florry and Richard Cutts put the chase back on course, Cutts scoring a stylish 38 and Florry eventually falling for a sound and attractive 73. With 80 runs required from the final fifteen overs, wickets were lost as Wells sought to maintain the asking rate, but outright defeat was never a danger as the late order held out, at the same time gathering in a third batting point. St.Lawrence came away with a winning draw, and with safety in the Premiership for both XIs likely to be finally decided in the last matches next weekend, at least for the moment neither side is in the relegation zone.
27/08/05	121 for 8 wkts	Gore Court 119 all out	(H)	TW II won by 2 wkts	TW II XI
On an overcast day at the Nevill, visiting team Gore Court won the toss and asked in-form Wells 2nd XI to field. Openers Grant Stephens and Graeme Corbishley set the standard with excellent spells of controlled seam bowling that saw Corbishley claim two early victims for 29 runs in eight overs. The skipper then turned to the father-son combination of Raj and Rob Sharma, but when the junior of the two failed to make an impact, spinner James Nethercott was brought into the attack. The spin twins Sharma and Nethercott then set about destroying the away team's chances of victory, as both bowlers bowled very fine spells, which were controlled and economical, inducing false shots from the struggling batsmen. Only Jonathan Turner seemed to be able to resist the home attack with a well compiled 52. Sharma picked up 3 for 28 from 13 overs and Nethercott 5 for 21 from 9.3 overs with the help of some superb catching. The Wells, chasing a modest 120 for victory, started steadily with openers Harry Florry and Will Stickler, but Gore Court fought back and began to take wickets at regular intervals, with Dave Crompton (4 for 36) and Rob Slater (3 for 45) spearheading the effort. All of the middle order managed to establish themselves, with Richard Cutts being the main protagonist, yet when he went for 23, victory looked to be slipping away despite some punishing blows from Adam Fullwood. It took the experience of Sharma snr and the coolness of the versatile Corbishley to see them home, thereby improving the team's chances of staving off relegation.
20/08/05	154 for 7 wkts	Dartford 153 all out	(A)	TW II won by 3 wkts	TW II XI
After a very wet Friday, it was a good toss to win, with the wicket still very damp - and Dartford were invited to bat. Graeme Corbishley was the most successful bowler finishing with 4 for 41 off his 15 overs. He had excellent support from Raj Sharma, who was again unlucky, with his 12 overs only conceding 14 runs for 1 wicket. Both James Nethercott and Mark Thompson picked up 2 wickets each as Dartford were bowled out for 153 with 5.3 overs to spare. In reply, Tunbridge Wells were cruising at 82 for 1 when Tim Luckhurst was caught for 24. There then followed a Wells collapse to 103 for 7 in only a few overs. Through this all, Will Stickler continued to bat well until he was out for 28. Whilst there remained plenty of overs in hand, it was crucial that the rot was stopped, and man of the match Corbishley proved to be the hero. In an unbroken 8th wicket partnership of 51 to win the match with Nigel Keess (17*) he finished with the top score of 32 not out. With St Lawrence also losing, Tunbridge Wells have climbed out of the relegation zone and everything is set up for their Bank Holiday clash at the Nevill next Monday.
13/08/05	234 for 7 wkts	Bexley dnb	(H)	Incomplete Match	TW II XI
On a day when the weather forecast of light rain, followed by heavy rain, seemed likely to have a ring of truth, TWCC lost the toss and were asked to bat on a typical, slow but true Nevill wicket by a very young Bexley side lacking some of their most talented youngsters. Once again the batsmen produced a well paced innings, reaching 236 - 7 at the end of 50 overs. A solid foundation was laid by Harry Florry (31) and Will Stickler (30), Rajesh Sharma (29) provided some impetus, which was continued by Richard Cutts (36) and Robert Sharma (36) allowing Adam Fulwood the freedom to strike fiercely for 32* from only 18 balls. Cutts and Sharma added a vital 59 runs in the best partnership of the innings. The match, however, was curtailed after fifty overs due to inclement weather. Despite a strong desire to play after tea in the pursuit of more points, it was not possible to do so. Match incomplete - 9 points.
06/08/05	228 for 7 wkts	Blackheath 221 for 9 wkts	(A)	TW II Winning Draw	TW II XI
Blackheath won the toss and inserted TWCC on a wicket that proved to be slow but true and an outfield that is always a challenge on which to field. TWCC compiled a very competitive total in almost textbook style. After the loss of an early wicket the top order exercised patience and laid the foundation for a crescendo of run scoring. Raj Sharma put together 51 out of 103-3, and Richard Cutts 46, partnering Jamie Baldwin as 56 runs were added for the fourth partnership. The 30 over mark had been reached at 90-2 and thereafter the tempo increased until Baldwin (at a run a ball) and Adam Fulwood (37 off 29 balls) took the total to 228-7. The home side's big players all made solid contributions without quite playing the decisive innings that would have enabled them to overhaul their target. Graeme Corbishley and Rob Sharma in particular bowled tightly and Mark Thompson picked up a couple of top order wickets. On a day for slower bowling, Raj Sharma once again weaved a miserly and wicket-taking web (3 for 50) whilst Jamie Baldwin's early offerings proved hard to handle before a short leg-side boundary became a hindrance rather than a help. Once again, James Nethercott (4 for 45), the side's leading wicket taker, proved the difficulty of playing the turning ball in pursuit of a large total. Runs and wickets flowed in equal measure until the Blackheath number 11 appeared at the crease with 8 to win off the final two balls of the game. A close finish and a fair result. 14 points for TWCC keep their hopes of evading relegation alive.
23/07/05	136 for 2 wkts	Lordswood 134 all out	(A)	TW II won by 8 wkts	TW II XI
Winning the toss, Lordswood batted, but soon lost three quick wickets as Graeme Corbishley found the edge and induced nicks to the cordon behind the wicket. Support came from Freddie Florry and Mark Thompson, but Debu Banik (48) rallied for Lordswood, and showed that the hard wicket could be good for batsmen as well as bowlers. Carl Laraman (29) partnered Banik as the score steadily rose, whereupon skipper Tim Luckhurst turned to his 'spin twins' Raj Sharma and James Nethercott. Sharma went through his entire repertoire, and at times was most unlucky, though still picking up 1-10 from 9 overs, while Nethercott bagged 4-33, which effectively foreshortened the home innings and the effort finished at 134 with four overs still remaining. The reply was fashioned through a pedigree effort from Ashley Jackson, despite losing his opening partner early on in the chase, he and Luckhurst seeing the score to within thirty of the target. Jackson, on his first appearance of the campaign, made 60 melodious runs, after which Luckhurst (40 not out) and Richard Cutts completed matters with more than 24 overs in hand. This was an emphatic reversal of the home fixture earlier in the year, and brought Wells 16 points, which served to lift them from the bottom of the table for the first time since late May. The omens are good for survival, there still being a game in hand over their rivals, and the XI coming into form just when big points are required.
16/07/05	194 for 9 wkts	St.Lawrence 195 for 6 wkts	(A)	TW II lost by 4 wkts	TW II XI
On a glorious day at Highland Court, Tunbridge Wells lost the toss and were invited to bat on a very dry wicket. Will Stickler (31) and Nigel Keess (32) got the innings off to the best start of the summer as they posted 62 for the first wicket, but thereafter the effort rather petered out with only Rob Sharma standing firm. Sharma fashioned a patient 43, while watching wickets falling at the other end, guiding Wells to 194-9 as the overs ran out. In reply, St.Lawrence got off to a flying start, swiftly reaching 100 before losing their second wicket, but there were points for the Wells attack also. Freddie Florry bowled a very good line and length (8 overs 1-12), and the reliable Raj Sharma hauled in 3-55 from 15 overs, but these apart, the batsmen were not really troubled as the chase neared the target. This notwithstanding, Wells stuck to their task and managed to capture six wickets before St.Lawrence reached the total, the winning runs coming in the final over.
09/07/05	142 all out	Bromley 182 for 8 wkts	(H)	TW II lost by 40 runs	TW II XI
Tunbridge Wells won the toss and invited Bromley to bat on a wicket that looked as if it would provide assistance to the bowlers. While this proved to be the case, the early Wells pairing were unlucky, Sunny Mohammed taking a wicket with a no-ball, and Freddie Florry causing difficulties for both openers. It was, however, the introduction of Jan Ball, who bowled some outstanding swinging deliveries, which finally made a double breakthrough. At times unplayable, Ball picked up 2-39 from 10 overs, reflecting the very attacking fields set for him. Nick Bluett (39) and James Butterfill (52) took Bromley to 150-4, but, with the ball getting older, the change to spin saw little scoring and a flurry of wickets. Jamie Baldwin (3-44) and Craig Denness (3-37) - bowling off-breaks rather than his usual seaming pace - enjoyed remarkable success, reducing Bromley to 182 for 8 as the overs ran out, Marcus Faithful picking up three stumpings. In reply, Wells lost an early wicket, but Jamie Baldwin (35) and Tim Luckhurst (21) took the score on to 77 without looking to be in any real difficulty. At this point, the left-arm spin of Craig Peters (3-43) removed both these players in quick succession, and, apart from Richard Cutts (23) and Jan Ball (16), the chase faltered fatally and stuttered to 142 all out with 2.1 overs remaining. Bromley took the game by 40 runs and kept Wells in the danger zone, but there were several encouraging features for the home campaign in spite of the defeat.
02/07/05	76 all out	Gore Court 79 for 1 wkt	(A)	TW II lost by 9 wkts	TW II XI
Wells II travelled to Gore Court, where they lost the toss and were put in on a good track in overcast conditions. The innings faltered from the off as both openers fell in quick succession, only young Rob Sharma defying the rampant home attack for any time. Wickets tumbled at regular intervals, Sharma holding an end up for 20 overs for 14 hard-earned and defiant runs, finding free-scoring all but impossible as the Court attack dominated proceedings utterly. The lower order also could not get started before young Sunny Mohammed blasted a swift and entertaing 13 runs, which dragged the total to 76 before he fell looking for another boundary hit. Rob Slater snapped up 5-33 for the home side, being well-supported throughout, and a modest target was set with 62 overs available. With a mountain to climb, the Wells attack set about their task rather well, but runs now came freely as the Court went for the jugular, and an emphatic quick win. Mohammed earned a solitary breakthrough for Wells, before the home batting pulled away to clinch a 9-wicket victory in a mere 17 overs. The chase was barely hampered by the under-par target, and Court collected 16 points from the encounter to send Wells back to propping up the table. There is still a game in hand, however, but the need to gather big points has now reached a critical level at the half-way stage of the campaign.
25/06/05	233 for 7 wkts	Dartford 222 for 9 wkts	(H)	TW II Winning Draw	TW II XI
Inserted on a perfect Nevill wicket, Wells made strong headway following the loss of an early wicket. Young Will Stickler was joined by Tim Luckhurst, and these two put together a recovery partnership of 130 runs, Stickler posting a mature and safe 56 before becoming the first of Surge Singh's five wickets. Luckhurst, by now well past his own half-century, found support from Richard Cutts (32), moving smoothly to a well-constructed century (9 fours) before falling just as the fourth batting point was secured. Cutts and Marcus Faithful raised the rate in the dying overs, setting Dartford an intriguing target of 234 for victory. Singh snapped up 5-40 from 11 overs of spin for the visitors, whilst Luckhurst continued a rich vein of form with his third consecutive 50-plus innings. The reply also suffered an early loss, before Elliot Bradbrook (55) restarted the chase, firstly in company with Joe Murphy and latterly with Scott McMillan (50). Bradbrook's excellent knock saw the visitors to 128-3 at the required pace, but Wells now had resorted to spin to contain the runflow, skipper Raj Sharma and James Nethercott slowing down the rate whilst reducing the innings to 190-7 with nine overs remaining. To their credit, Dartford continued to go for the runs, led by Randhir Ramprasad, but they fell behind the ask, suffering in the process two run-outs. The last wicket could not be taken in the final over, and a winning draw for Wells resulted. Nethercott picked up 3-81 from 14 overs, Sharma 2-52, and pick of the bowlers, Sunny Mohammed, 2-22. Ramprasad was left undefeated on 30, and this fine match finished with Wells taking 14 points from the encounter, which lifted them from bottom place in the table.
18/06/05	176 for 7 wkts	Bexley 231 for 7 wickets	(A)	TW II Losing Draw	TW II XI
The hottest day of the summer so far saw the IIs travel to Bexley, and, upon winning the toss, skipper Raj Sharma elected to field. The home side got off to a flier, posting 74 runs in just 12 overs, before change bowlers Jan Ball and Oli Reynolds began to restore some control. The batting continued to flourish, however, as George Wells (50) and Alex Pinnock (52) consolidated on the fine start, before the spin twins Sharma and James Nethercott (3-69) - at some cost - reined in the onslaught. Pinnock and Wells were both caught in the deep off Nethercott, while Reynolds returned to pick up a late wicket, and the target was set at a daunting 232. The reply started poorly, with both openers falling early, and it was left to the reliable Tim Luckhurst to control the chase. Luckhurst set about a recovery with a series of fluent drives and cuts, but found scant support from the middle order before Reynolds (40) came to the wicket. These two took the score into the 130s before they were parted, Luckhurst compiling a splendid 73. There was still work to do, however, and Elliott Hughes, sporting an injured thumb, bravely held off the home attack, and, in the process, guided Wells to a third batting point. Graeme Corbishley lent Hughes support, and, in the end, the pair held on for a draw. For Bexley, Jon Childs picked up 3-33 in the quest for wickets, yet the visitors had done enough to avert defeat for the first time in several matches. Oli Reynold's fine all-round form was a welcome contribution to the side.
11/06/05	203 all out	Blackheath 235 for 8 wkts	(H)	TW II lost by 32 runs	TW II XI
Bowling first by choice, Wells had a mixed experience as the visitors latterly drew away to post a formidable target total. Pick of the attack was Jan Ball (3-65), yet several spilled chances were to prove damaging. Blackheath struggled to 89-3 following a trademark early strike from Mark Thompson, but steadying knocks from the middle order - at good pace - saw the score to 148-6 before Omar Khan found allies in Philip Brown and Chris Swadkin, who assisted in hoisting the total well past 200. The last ten overs were expensive, the catalyst being Khan's energetic 61, and Wells were left to make 236 on a batting-friendly track. The response was sound as 41 runs were posted in 10 overs, whereupon Tim Luckhurst (38) marshalled the chase, seeing the score up to 123-5, with the match finely balanced. Blackheath captured wickets regularly until skipper Raj Sharma and Oli Jones took charge, yet the stand was broken all too soon and 161-5 became 183-9 with Sharma standing defiant with a hard-hit but compelling innings. The last pair managed 20 more runs under Sharma's guidance, but the last man could not defy the final over and victory came to Blackheath by just 32 runs. Veteran Chris Swadkin grabbed 4-49 in the later stages, and Sharma remained unbeaten on 45. This was a better performance, however, than the result would suggest, and the feeling persisted that only a couple of elements of fine-tuning are required to return the XI to their winning ways.
04/06/05	159 all out	Beckenham 160 for 6 wkts	(H)	TW II lost by 4 wkts	TW II XI
Wells lost the toss and were put in, making steady progress as Nigel Keess and Rob Sharma made starts before falling, but it was Tim Luckhurst who anchored the effort with a stylish and vital 63, seeing the score to the 130s with only limited support. Beckenham took wickets at regular intervals, before a hard-fought 26 from Jan Ball assisted Luckhurst as 69 precious runs were added for the fifth wicket, but thereafter the innings rather petered out after looking to have reached 200. Luckhurst hit 8 fours before perishing in the attempt to accelerate the runrate. Good spells from Mark Thompson and Sunny Mohammed (2-12) meant that the home innings stuttered to 60-3 before skipper David Evans stood firm as he compiled an aggressive unbeaten 80 to guide his side to victory. Wells hit back through Jan Ball (2-29) in an excellent spell, but a powerful 31 from Peter Pogose helped Evans post 51 for the fifth wicket, which took the home side to the brink of victory. The visitors eventually suffered a defeat by just 4 wickets, while Evans' knock proved crucial in sealing their fate, and they now prop up the table with a game still in hand. Wells tried eight bowlers in the attempt to turn the tide, but the weak finish to the batting meant that there were just too few runs to defend despite the collective effort from the attack.
30/05/05	140 all out	Lordswood 141 for 1 wkt	(H)	TW II lost by 9 wkts	TW II XI
Played after a vivid lightning-splashed thunderstorm, only 25 minutes were lost before the game commenced, but Wells lost the toss and were asked to bat on a wet-top, and made a sorry spectacle as the cream of the batting came and went as the total mustered just 140 runs. Six wickets were captured as the score crept up to just 78, and the visitors' attack were on top until skipper Raj Sharma and Oli Jones added 40 vital runs for the seventh wicket. This resistance did not compel the thought of a matchwinning total, but conditions were only a part of the problem. Doubtless the long undefeated run made the side slightly complacent, but there was no meaningful further recovery, and the target set was an under-par 141. Mark Thompson soon raised hopes of a sensation as Lordswood fell to 2-1, but Nathan Chapman (somewhat luckily) and Debu Banik scored steadily at first , and then laid the foundation of a fine victory. Chapman hit up 55 and Banik an aggressive 70 to steer Lordswood to a solid win by 9 wickets with many overs in hand. Each was undefeated, and saw off any attempt the hitherto all-conquering Wells attack could offer. The re-grouping and reassessments will fill the thinking tank at T.Wells as matters are mooted over, but the outcome has given an overdue wake-up to the side, who will surely compete as completely as previously, and will no doubt return with a renewed vigour.
28/05/05	214 for 5 wkts	Blackheath 186 all out	(A)	TW II won by 28 runs	TW II XI
Following a mystery tour around the cul-de-sacs of Greenwich a fine total of 214-5 was posted in a 40 over match. Mark Alexander (120) despatched the assorted Blackheath bowlers with aplomb. Scoring shots all around the wicket at a great pace meant that he reached his reached his hundred out of 134 in the 26th over. Mark Trathen (15) played a supporting role scoring 4 runs in his first 21 overs at the crease. Some wristy strokeplay from Pradeep (30*) accompanied by some powerful striking by Robert Sharma (19*) took the total to 214-5. In reply Blackheath made a solid start against some attacking fields. The introduction of Baldwin, more inconsistent than usual, together with a mid innings second spell from Mohammed put TWCC back in control with a flurry of five wickets. The opposition captain, yet another useful Australian, then threatened to give the home side hope with an attacking 47 before becoming one of three run out victims. The highlights were good fielding from Pradeep, a miserly first spell from Robert Sharma, an excellent 2nd spell from Grahame Corbishley and 3 wickets for 10 runs in six overs from Sonny Mohammed.
21/05/05	195 for 5 wkts	Minster 194 for 8 wkts	(A)	TW II won by 5 wkts	TW II XI
On a very blustery but bright day, Minster batted first, reaching 80 before a wicket was captured. Mark Thompson bowled his customary tight line and length, and young Sunny Mohammed coped well bowling into the wind to pick up 2-45, but it fell to James Nethercott (4-51) and Graeme Corbishley (2-32) to effectively control the home effort. On his Second Team debut, young Will Arthur kept wicket impressively, and another youngster, Alex Williams, was unlucky not to have achieved two run-outs with his alert groundwork. In response, Rob Sharma showed great composure in batting virtually throughout the chase, falling for a splendid 65 just four runs shy of the win. His innings provided the foundation of the Wells' effort, and Sharma showed a full range of powerful shots, none better than a glorious drive through mid-on early in the piece. Excellent support came from Mark Alexander (35) and Ollie Jones (36 not out), the latter seeing his side home with five overs and five wickets in hand.
14/05/05	220 for 7 wkts (Nick Chambers 87*)	Bromley 216 for 4 wickets	(A)	TW II won by 3 wkts	TW II XI
On a cool, overcast day at Bromley, the home side won the toss and elected to bat on a track which promised high-scoring. Despite a miserly opening spell from Mark Thompson, Bromley's batsmen enjoyed the conditions, and experienced few problems as the score was hoisted past the hundred. Spinner James Nethercott made the first breakthrough, but David Penfold (114) continued the steady progress whilst seeing to the acceleration, before perishing in the deep to skipper Raj Sharma, being well caught by Nick Chambers. Wells captured few wickets, one of the more notable being Thompson's one-handed caught-and-bowled. Bromley finished with a formidable 217-4 from their 50 overs, soon to look even better as the visitors' batting stuttered to 22-3. Craig Peters (3-63) was the destroyer as Wells set off on their huge run-chase, but Tim Luckhurst and Nick Chambers first steadied the effort then pulled away in a match-winning partnership which posted more than a century. Luckhurst eventually fell for a vital 54, but Chambers stood firm as he piloted the Wells' effort towards their goal. Bromley struck back with a further flurry of wickets, but Chambers went on to a shrewd, unbeaten 87, fashioning the win at good pace, being unafraid to hit over the top, including among his strikes one mighty straight six. Graeme Corbishley completed matters with an emphatic boundary back over the bowler's head, Wells reeling in yet another bat-second 16-pointer, to remain at the head of the Premiership (Second XIs) table.
07/05/05	124 for 6 wkts	Vine II 122 all out	(H)	TW II won by 6 wkts	TW II XI
On winning the toss, Wells put the visitors in to bat, Sunny Mohammed (on debut) gaining an early reward before Simon Parkinson (32) and Richard Barrett gradually laid the foundations of a reasonable total. A slow Nevill wicket gave the home attack the advantage, however, and when the second partnership was broken, Wells steadily took wickets as the Vine slid to 99-8. Graeme Corbishley starred in this effort, snapping up 5-44 on his first appearance for the IIs, but young Vine 'keeper Mike Barber showed some fight as the tail raised the target score to an under-par 122 all out. Wells were left with 61 overs at their disposal to gather the runs as Vine failed to use 11 of their allotted tally. Young Rob Sharma set the home batting off to a steady start, Tim Luckhurst continuing the effort in partnership with Nick Chambers (47), whose patient effort spearheaded the Wells' chase. Chambers' fine knock ended at 114-5, with the winning runs coming from the bat of skipper Raj Sharma, but not before the Vine had captured 6 wickets, such was the dominance of ball over bat throughout. The result gained Wells II a familiar bat-second 16-pointer, carrying on the fine form of the previous Season.
30/04/05	160 for 8 wickets	Orpington 161 for 5 wkts	(A)	TW II lost by 5 wkts	TW II XI
On a bright but humid day, TW lost the toss and batted on a damp and very slow wicket. Mark Alexander (57) and David Else (35) showed great patience and applied suitable caution whilst still managing to despatch the odd bad ball. Craig Denness (33) continued his good run of form and tried to accelerate the innings at the close but a final total of 160 would require the TW bowlers to be at their best. A good opening start by Graeme Corbishley (2 - 29) and Sunny Mohammed (2 - 17) saw Orpington reduced to 23 - 3 but aggressive batting by their middle order and some poor bowling soon put TW on the defensive. Orpington eventually winning with 8 overs to spare.
23/04/05	224 for 3 wkts (Rob Sharma 64)	Gravesend 186 for 8 wkts	(A)	TW II won by 38 runs	TW II XI
Put in on a Gravesend greentop, Wells lost a wicket in the opening over before young Rob Sharma (64) and Nick Chambers (46) consolidated with a steadying partnership of 98 from 26 overs. Marcus Faithful then added 64 with Sharma before a whirlwind blitz from Tim Luckhurst and Craig Denness hoisted Wells to 224 as the overs ran out. Luckhurst slammed 42 from just 20 balls while Denness smashed 16 from 7 deliveries. Graeme Corbishley and 13-year-old Sunny Mohammed (1-38) shared the new ball in response, but it needed the experience of Jamie Baldwin (1-36) and Rob Sharma (3-26) to set the home side into disarray. Supported by the guile and spin of James Nethercott (1-53), Gravesend never really dominated, and Wells kept a stranglehold on the chase before eventually running out winners by 38 runs. This gave skipper Raj Sharma his second warm-up win in successive Saturdays, Southgate having gone down at home to a trademark bat-second defeat on 16/04/05. Given the euphoria of the second string gaining promotion and returning to the Premier Second XI competition at the end of 2004, this was a perfect and satisfactory start to the Season, setting up team confidence for the League Campaign starting 7 May against Sevenoaks Vine.