Saturday First XI Results 2006 Date TW Score Opposition Score Venue Result Team 02/09/06 N/A Last 3 Matches abandoned The Nevill 8 points from all three games TW I XI The flagship Tunbridge Wells XI escaped relegation with almost a nicety as survival was ensured by virtue of points gained in abandoned matches. It had proved frustratingly impossible to play over the course of the final three matches, and, indeed, four of the final five, but just enough had already been achieved to thwart, by the closest margin, the attentions of the chasing pack. And so it was that TW I remained a part of the KCL Premiership (First Elevens) for 2007. In stark contrast to the celebrations of the previous summer, the mood of the side was muted, for everyone would have much preferred to have played out the matches, nonetheless the relief at the success of the campaign offset any negativity. Sadness at the fate of sister side, TW II, was poignant, for they had enacted a valiant late revival, which ended in relegation as some astonishing final results came in. TW III still have Championship ambitions, however, and matters will be resolved during the next weekend. On a statistical note, hearty congratulations are due to David Else, who recorded the highest Premiership run aggregate of 2006. His 736 runs, bolstered by three centuries and five fifties, came within touching distance of Trevor Irvine's record of 773 runs, set in 2004, and it was only the loss of those four late games which prevented him from tilting at that target. David, in notching three centuries in the Premiership, thereby set a new TW record. In addition, it can now be recorded that Mark Alexander has passed 10,000 KCL League runs (Bexley, Bromley and TW), First XIs only, data which has emerged as a result of some vital though late-in-the-season input from hitherto missing Yearbooks. The criterion for this statistic rests upon the year-on-year First Team aggregates, which became Premiership after 1999, and included are Mark's run totals for all First Team matches, but not those from Second XI, or other (eg Kent Board XI) games. The 'Official' tally stands now at 10,157 runs, with numerous fifties and centuries, and it now remains to ascertain the number of innings involved with an eventual view to producing an average. This is a special Club, the 10,000 club, and such stalwarts as Jim Howgego and Chris Swadkin are founder members. Hearty congratulations also are due to Mark in this regard. 19/08/06 120 for 3 wkts Gore Court 119 all out The Nevill TW I won by 7 wkts TW I XI Wells won an important toss, and inserted Gore Court, and in no time the visitors' innings was in utter disarray at 9-5. Oli Reynolds had clean-bowled Richard Piesley for no score, but architect of the sensational opening phase was Robbie Joseph, who bowled at his fastest and straightest in picking up four wickets - all clean-bowled - in his first four overs. Former Kent Captain Steve Marsh had survived this debilitating burst, but Reynolds snared him at 30, and Gore Court still faced some 40 overs with only four wickets standing. Young Chris Piesley then played a highly mature and determined rearguard knock of 37, which put some respectability back into the innings, and held the rampant Wells attack at bay for much of the remaining time, while seeing the score up to 119. Last out, Piesley had withstood the bowling in all for 129 balls (striking one solitary boundary), and support came from Cameron Glass and Phil Edwards (22 apiece) before Wells were able to wrap up the effort, young slow-bowler Fred Florry netting 3-27 from 13 probing overs. Quentin Ferreira turned in a quite remarkable spell of 11 overs, 7 maidens, no wicket for 5 runs as the innings struggled to completion. The chase suffered an early setback, but David Else and skipper Mark Smith played with chilling certainty as the score inexorably mounted, putting together 68 runs for the second wicket and virtually assuring the home victory. Else passed 700 runs for the campaign in putting together an unbeaten match-clinching knock of 45 (3 fours), while Smith exuded confidence and defiance as he struck six fours, the first from his very first ball. The Gore Court bowling tried every variety, and finally Martin McCague had Smith taken at slip for a bristling and enterprising 39, which brought Ferreira to the crease, and the customary lifting of the tempo. A swift 32 runs ensued with Else as the eversteady partner, until a boundary catch ended the Ferreira cameo, and the final ten runs were safely gathered in to bring about a win by seven wickets and with 23 overs in hand. Wells' first Premiership victory since early June brought a welcome 16 points, but the euphoria was tempered in the knowledge that Bexley had also won batting second against Folkestone, and they still look over their shoulders as the final run-in commences. Wells face Sevenoaks at the Vine next week and play off the game-in-hand on the Bank Holiday Monday, at the Nevill, when Blackheath visit. Both matches carry importance for the Wells side, and safety cannot be guaranteed without strong performances in both games. 05/08/06 250 for 7 wkts Bromley 251 for 4 wkts The Nevill TW I lost by 6 wkts TW I XI Bromley asked Wells to bat at the Nevill on a splendid batting track, clearly preferring the option to chase on such a wicket. David Else and Mark Alexander defied the tight lines of the League-leaders' attack to such effect that 90 runs were safely posted in 24 overs before Alexander was compelled to retire with a damaged hamstring. Skipper Mark Smith now joined Else, and a further 97 runs were added, but this fine effort took up some 23 overs leaving the middle order to strike out to raise the runrate. When Smith fell at 187, Else (11 fours) had moved on to 97 precious and skilfully-gathered runs, and Quentin Ferreira came to the crease to up the tempo in his characteristic fashion, lashing 34 in just 21 balls (3 x 4, 1 x 6). Daniel Christian (4-56) then upset the Wells' onslaught, nonetheless the final 7 overs produced full batting points, while notching 54 final runs to leave Bromley with a testing target for victory, and Wells an opportunity to shock the Champions-Elect. At this point it was worth noting that, in three competitions, only Wells had inflicted a defeat upon Bromley all year. Else scored, in all, 102 hard-fought runs, his third century of the campaign, to set alongside his five other half-centuries. The reply started quietly enough until a sensation in the eigth over brought the game alive. Oli Reynolds clean-bowled Alan Wells, and next produced a perfectly pitched late in-dipper to take out high-scoring Daniel Christian first ball. From 25-2, Bromley set about rebuilding the chase, with Leo Taylor leading the way with an aggressive yet patchy effort, which benefitted from a catch behind from a Robbie Joseph no-ball. Joseph put in a hostile seven-over stint before going lame, but Reynolds rested after ten swift and testing overs, thoroughly deserving figures of 2-36. Wells fell back upon their youngsters' spin attack, and successfully contained the scoring, indeed Jamie Baldwin snared two further wickets as the score rose to 153. Taylor was bowled at this point attempting something extravagant, having made 89 hard-hit runs inside 37 overs, but the fifth pairing of James Watson and Nicky Bluett now took the game away from Wells as the remaining 98 runs were gathered in at a lively rate. 16 overs of slow bowling, now added to by Ferreira, was all that was required, but no further wicket could be taken, and Bromley eased home by six wickets in a match which saw over 500 runs scored on the day. A glance at the table showed Wells still just clear of the drop zone, with Bexley catching them up, and a must-win contest away to lowly Folkestone on the following week-end. Special mention goes to 14-year-old Colt, Emmerson Wood, who was called up to substitute for Mark Alexander late in the afternoon, and who fielded throughout the Bromley innings with no semblance of a mistake. 29/07/06 163 all out Blackheath 190 for 8 wkts The Rectory TW lost by 27 runs TW I XI Wells won the toss on an uneven track promising lowscoring, and took the field with a view to chasing the game. The home batting was soon troubled as Mark Smith, Evert Bekker and Fred Florry reduced the innings to 60-4, but in-form Simon Williams then rebuilt the effort with only minimal assistance from the middle order. David Else chipped in for Wells (2-1 in 4 overs) however, and the slide continued as the visitors brought the score down to 120-7, when a telling late flourish from Ben Winslade (37*) supported Williams in adding a vital 43 runs, before the latter was dismissed. Williams, in all, scored 65 in giving his side respectability on a difficult wicket, but Winslade took the total up to 190 as the innings closed, and Wells had allowed seventy runs to accrue with just one wicket to show in that time. How crucial those final runs would prove was soon evidenced as the reply tottered to 71-5, but David Else had stood firm throughout these difficulties, and was supported briefly by Evert Bekker as the chase was dragged up to the hundred. Blackheath then whipped out three more batsmen despite the heroic resistance of Else, who passed his seventh half-century of the Campaign, and the game was all but gone when Simon Routh joined Else at 119-8. These two battled their way to 152 before Else's epic lone hand was ended, his contribution of 83 runs tallying more than half of the runs gained by his side. Altogether, this gritty, match-turning knock took up 130 balls of determined resistance, and served almost to bring about a remarkable reversal of fortunes, and deserved better than to feature on the losing side. Else notched 9 fours in a magnificent effort to save his team, but the end came soon after his dismissal, with 27 runs separating the scores in the favour of the home eleven. Wells remain clear of the drop zone, nonetheless, and now face League Champions Bromley at the Nevill, with pride and survival to play for. 22/07/06 265 for 4 wkts Bickley Park 201 for 7 wkts The Nevill Incomplete Match TW I XI Given likely weather intervention, Bickley Park put Wells in to bat on a slow track at the Nevill, and, almost at once, a major deluge forced the players off for the best part of two hours as the storms cleared. The thunder and lightning were later eclipsed as David Else and Mark Alexander encountered no difficulty with the visiting attack, based largely upon spin, and proceeded to found a record first partnership of 153 in 36 overs, which gave Wells every advantage in what would prove to be an Incomplete Match. Else (16 fours) was at his fluent best, while Alexander, having gone lame early on, requiring a runner, gave every support in the splendid partnership. Else was first to his half-century - his sixth of the campaign, with Alexander following later on as the stand flourished at better than four-per-over, and it was a surprise when Alexander was bowled just after the 150 was posted. Else, now into the 80s, remorselessly went on, and reached his second century of 2006 with a trademark push into the on-side, and soon passed 500 Premiership runs for the Season. Eventually holing out for a pathfinding and cultured 121, Else ensured that a defendable total was set up, and the following batsmen hammered home that advantage. Mark Smith had assisted as 65 runs were added at good pace, and a blistering cameo from Quentin Ferreira (35 in 18 balls) hoisted the total past 260 as fours and enormous sixes flowed from his bat. The declaration invited the Park to make 266 in a theoretical 62 overs, but time would only allow 48 to be bowled, with the final 20 overs commencing at 7.20 pm. The reply was soon rocking at 40-2 as Smith removed numbers one and three, but young Alex Darroch provided spirited defiance as he manufactured a fightback with a hard-hit 94 (12 x 4, 2 x 6). Given support by the middle order, Darroch guided the score up to 158 although Wells continued to make vital inroads - Ferreira's slipcatch being outstanding, but the occupation of the crease had used up vital overs. From this point, Park required a run-a-ball, and Wells 5 wickets, but Andrew Clarke was able to stand firm almost to the end, and, despite two wickets for spinner Fred Florry, the visitors were able to defy Wells as the overs ran out. A greatly improved performance gave Wells 12 points from the encounter, and lifted them clear of the drop zone. 15/07/06 126 all out Bexley 221 for 7 wkts Bexley TW I lost by 95 runs TW I XI Winning the toss, Bexley batted, and soon slipped to 65-4 as the Wells attack found plenty of help faced by uncertain batsmanship. All of the visitor's early bowlers struck, and it looked like business-as-usual before Matt Stiller found the resolve to rebuild the innings. Partnered first by Nihir Dasandi (36), 56 runs were carefully added, followed by 58 runs with George Wells (30), and Stillers' calm and responsible 60 (4 fours) allowed Bexley to found a respectable total which promised a difficult chase in the conditions. Joe Becher enjoyed a 14-over spell in which he picked up 2-65, but some stout blows from Jamie Askew (34 with 4 fours) carried Bexley almost to a fourth batting point as the overs came to an end, setting up a final target of 222 for victory. Wells could rue the odd chance going astray, but, overall, this was a strong performance which recent form suggested would provide an interesting chase. A series of unlikely events then catapulted the reply into disarray as Wells tumbled quickly to 37-4, with the main run-scorers already lost. Such a predicament was finally halted as Gareth Williams (34) and Brough Cooper dragged the score into the seventies, but Bexley at home were rampant, and soon sent the total reeling to 80-7. Evert Bekker then played soundly, and took Wells past the century, given support from the tail, but the end was in sight, and Bexley finally took the game by 95 runs with some twenty overs in hand, hauling themselves up to the same points-score as Wells, but remaining in the drop zone by virtue of fewer victories. Bekker remained defiant to the bitter end, and took out his bat for a face-saving 29 (7 fours) but otherwise the innings posed too many questions and too few solutions, and it remains for Wells to re-discover the formula for success upon which their survival will rest. 08/07/06 164 all out Beckenham 262 for 6 wkts The Nevill TW I lost by 98 runs TW I XI Beckenham won the toss and elected to bat at the Nevill on a dry slightly cracked surface, and made steady progress against Rob Joseph and Oli Reynolds. The first wicket fell at 59 before Gary Sheen picked up the momentum, receiving healthy support from Johan Malcolm, and 64 runs were added before Sheen was dismissed for a hard-hit 80 (14 fours). From this point, the Wells attack successfully subdued the effort, and the tempo was contained effectively as the score moved uncertainly to 185-5. Sarvesh Saxena, reprieved a couple of times, then pushed on to notch a valuable half-century, and, with Jason Bilimoria in particular, some lusty blows were struck towards the end, revealing the depth of the batting on display. Young Fred Florry, on debut, showed that the track was spin-friendly, picking up 2-56, while the remainder of the bowling line-up contributed manfully, Quentin Ferreira turning in eleven overs for just 37 runs, and the final score of 262-6 reflected a fine tussle for dominance from both sides. A remarkable run-out was effected by bowler Mark Smith who touched-on a fierce drive from Saxena into the non-striker's wicket, one skipper thereby removing the other. The reply featured a free-scoring cameo from David Else (27), and 44 runs were posted with Mark Alexander for the opening stand before Else was dismissed. Alexander, despite striking 7 fours and two trademark sixes, found the going hard, but played a fine responsible innings which anchored the chase for almost two hours of gritty determination. The Beckenham speed attack, led by Ollie Howick, was never dominated, but wickets were also slow to come, and the score rose steadily to 116-2 before spin was introduced with devastating effect. Alexander and Ferreira had posted 51 runs for the third wicket before Howick at last removed Ferreira, then a wasteful run-out ended Brough Cooper's stay, but the rest of the innings was swept away as Alistair Owen-Browne spun his way through the order to snap up 5-26. First, Alexander was bowled for a magnificent 63, and then Owen-Browne wove his spell as the score tottered from 142-4 to 164 all out, with only a handful of balls remaining in the allocation. Support came from Sheen as the wickets tumbled, but nothing could detract from the sterling and enduring vigil of Alexander, who curbed his attacking instincts in a worthy endeavour to stave off defeat, but the 98-run reverse in its suddenness overshadowed even this effort. Wells remain at 6th in the Table, although the chasing pack have now all but caught up, and they must return to winning ways if the great start to the campaign is not to be rendered worthless. A visit to Bexley next week is therefore eagerly anticipated. 01/07/06 248 all out St.Lawrence 268 for 9 wkts Highland Court TW I lost by 20 runs TW I XI Electing to bat at Highland Court, St.Lawrence set off at a gallop, with Matthew Dennington (6 fours) cracking 53 out of 80-1 before Quentin Ferreira began a praiseworthy all-round performance that so nearly brought victory to the Wells. The home innings was reined back to 130-4 after 27 overs, with Ferreira grabbing all four, before James Lincoln steadied the effort with a pugnacious knock of 84 (14 fours) which allowed the 200 to be reached without further loss. George Marshall assisted as 90 runs were struck for the fifth wicket, but again Wells fought back as skipper Mark Smith picked up 4-48, and the home innings coasted to 268-9 as the overs ran out. Ferreira's spell of nine overs produced 4-35 in an outstanding attacking display. The reply featured yet another compact and stylish half-century from David Else - his fifth of the Season - but the home bowlers reduced Wells to 72-3 before the chase really took shape. Ferreira joined Else in forming a magnificent partnership of 99 runs, which took Wells at good pace far towards the target total, Ferreira blasting 60 of these runs with a liberal sprinkling of boundaries and a glorious six over extra-cover. Else's secure and composed 57 (2 x 4, 1 x 6) was ended at 171-4, but Ferreira continued his blistering assault on the attack, outscoring his partner six-to-one as 53 further runs were added with Brough Cooper before St.Lawrence found a way through and cut short the run-feast. Dennington (5-56) returned with deadly effect as the tail were polished off for the price of 24 further runs, and St.Lawrence sneaked home to victory with just two balls remaining. The game had tilted first one way and then the other as Wells strove for the win, and it possibly needed only a couple more overs of Ferreira to have settled the issue in their favour. His astonishing cavalier innings of 92 included 14 fours and one six, and took his side to the brink of the desired result before another talented all-rounder trumped his effort. A thrilling match of 516 runs narrowly went to St.Lawrence with no loss of face at the outcome and heads held high all round. A curiosity of the encounter was that the two Kent bowlers on display produced between them 16 no-balls and 19 wides ... 24/06/06 130 all out Vine 303 for 7 wkts The Nevill TW I lost by 173 runs TW I XI 'When the thunderclap comes, there is no time to cover the ears' - Sun Tzu ..... The Vine won the toss and batted on a very good Nevill wicket, racing to 50 in under 8 overs, before Duncan Irens was dismissed. John Bowden, badly missed on 28, then settled in to play a splendid consolidating innings, which was to lift the visitors into a commanding position. Matt Banes joined Bowden at 90-2, and these two rampaged along as the 200 was reached after 40 overs. The third partnership had added an imposing 117 runs when Bowden departed, having reached a controlling century which included 15 fours and two sixes. Skipper Banes was no less certain, and with Glen Goosen, saw to the accumulation of a further 67 runs, before Wells finally gained reward in the searing heat for some tireless bowling. Raj Sharma (2-70), with a catch and run-out in addition, stood out, while Mark Smith (2-56) also contributed, assisted by two excellent catches in the deep from David Else. Nick Chambers' deepfield catch off Goosen was equally noteworthy. Banes, however, remorselessly moved to three figures, before perishing at deep midwicket, and the late order had just enough time to pass 300 runs as the overs ran out. The home attack was necessarily expensive in the face of such a score, but had stuck manfully to the task in hand. Banes' century came up in two hours and twenty minutes, with six fours and two sixes. The reply faltered early on, David Else falling just after having posted his 300th run for the Season, but Mark Alexander and Gareth Williams seemed in little difficulty as the score rose to 41 after 12 overs. From this point, the innings completely lost momentum, and wickets fell in cascades as the Vine bowlers enjoyed undreamt-of success on the featherbed track. A Comptonesque tragedy saw Smith run out, Alexander got one that stopped and bit, and Bowden's spin three-card-tricked the middle order. In the meantime, Quentin Ferreira showed just what could be achieved, and stroked his way to a cavalier 49 in just 45 balls, smashing three sixes and four fours along the way. Iqbal Siddiqui chimed in with a brace of wickets, but Ferreira blasted away, taking the score from 51-3 to 116 before missing one just short of his fifty. By now, the chase was in disarray, and the Vine quickly completed matters to run out victors by 173 runs, with a staggering twenty overs to spare. The finality had been as swift and conclusive as it had been unexpected, but nothing could detract from the merit of the Vine's victory. Wells visit St.Lawrence at Canterbury on the coming Saturday, another encounter which promises to be hard-fought, and will be wanting to give an improved performance in order to maintain their mid-table position in the League. 17/06/06 209 all out Gore Court 211 for 3 wkts The Grove TW I lost by 7 wkts TW I XI Wells journeyed to Gore Court for a tilt at the second-placed side in the League, where they lost the toss and were put in to bat. The home attack soon struck when Mark Alexander was adjudged LBW, but David Else and Gareth Williams pulled away with a carefully-constructed second stand of 98, which laid a solid foundation for the balance of the innings. Each batsman was compelled to work very hard for their runs, the Gore Court groundwork and field-setting being of high quality, but they survived to give Wells the required recovery, although the subsequent bid for consolidation was thwarted as wickets steadily fell in the attempt. Williams (58) completed a worthy and vital half-century, matched by Else (56), who notched his fourth 50 of the Summer, and the quest for bonus points was begun. Mark Smith and Raj Sharma took the score into the 190s, assisted by Joe Becher, but the effort stalled as the Gore Court bowlers cut short the chase, capturing the remaining wickets just inside the distance, and Wells ended on 209, which recent scores at the Grove suggested was a little below par. The reply featured much aggressive strokeplay from former Kent Captain Steve Marsh, who slammed 15 fours and 2 sixes in a rapid 107, but so well did Wells' makeshift attack fare that two wickets were snapped up early on, including that of National Averages top man Joe Denly. Spinners Raj Sharma and Peter Ford put in noble stints to curtail the scoring, and young Rob Sharma also weighed in, but the strength of the Gore Court line-up ensured no real alarm as the target was chased down. Marsh, partnered by Richard Piesley (68), saw the score into the 180s before Piesley finalised matters, the home batsmen racing to victory inside 37 overs and with seven wickets in hand. It was easy to imagine later how this Gore Court XI were able to rack up 300 runs-plus on their home ground in earlier matches, such was the mastery on display. Wells went away with just bonus points, but their League Status remained unthreatened, and much could be gained from the experience, not least that they now know fully the cauldron that the Premiership can be. Next week sees the XI take on the Vine at the Nevill, an encounter that promises to be of great interest for both clubs. 10/06/06 191 for 4 wkts Folkestone 187 for 6 wkts The Nevill TW I won by 6 wkts TW I XI Once again winning the toss, Wells asked Folkestone to bat on a very good Nevill surface, which promised high-scoring, yet such was the dominance of the home attack that the innings scarcely achieved a rate of 4-per-over throughout. A sound foundation was laid by Dominic Chambers (41) and Charlie Hemphrey, whose opening partnership produced 94 careful runs in 31 overs, Hemphrey posting a patient 51, before Wells made inroads with two quick wickets. Chris Lawrence and Quentin Ferreira had contained the runrate most satisfactorily at the outset, while 30 overs of guileful spin from Raj Sharma and Joe Becher then slowed progress so effectively that the visitors' score crept somnolently to 150-4 with just seven overs remaining, the stranglehold achieved barely being threatened. Life spluttered back briefly into the innings in the final stages, with Himanshu Waingankar (41*) rallying the effort, and the score eventually moved to 187-6 as the 55 overs elapsed, setting Wells another interesting target for victory of 188. The reply set off at good pace, 46 runs being posted in 52 balls, as Mark Alexander and David Else showed that runmaking was perfectly possible. The loss, at this point, of Alexander, spurred Else into higher gear, as exquisite extra-cover drives and pulls brought him the majority of his 16 fours, and, with Gareth Williams (26), one hundred runs were added for the second wicket in 24 overs, which virtually settled the issue. Else's shrewd and commanding innings reached the acme as he notched a maiden Premiership century (113 balls), but Andy Bray gained belated reward with two sudden wickets at 167 before Ferreira, who had watched these events with misgivings at the other end, decided 'enough was enough' and lashed four consecutive fours, which, with Becher's two boundaries, precipitated the win in just seven more balls, with 6 wickets and 16 overs in hand. Else's fine pathfinding knock was worth exactly 100, and, notably, was his third 50-plus in four innings, indicating a comfort with Premiership status thus far, and, importantly, laying the foundation for the three victories now gained by the Wells. The 16 points gathered in leaves Wells at fourth in the Table, still with a game in hand, and leaders Gore Court to be faced at The Grove next Saturday. 03/06/06 246 for 8 wkts Bromley 245 all out Plaistow Lane TW I won by 2 wkts TW I XI Wells continued their tour of South London with a visit to 2005 Champions Bromley CC at Plaistow Lane, and won the toss in bright sunshine, opting to bowl first on a firm track with a lightning-fast outfield. Bolstered by the inclusion of Robbie Joeph, the visitors' attack nevertheless conceded 38 runs in little more than six overs, before striking back with three quick wickets, Grant Sheen going first ball. Chris Lawrence and Joseph then slowed the runrate as Bromley struggled to a lowpoint of 91-6 after 22 overs, Kent's Rob Ferley (33, 5 x 4) among them. Quentin Ferreira and Raj Sharma, the latter putting in a sterling effort (15-2-54-2 including Ferley), exerted determined control, but Bromley pulled away with Nicky Bluett rallying the lower order in a magnificent manner, going on to notch 112 as the advantage swung back to the home side. Matthew Isaacs (35, 6 x 4, 1 x 6) helped as 56 runs were posted for the seventh stand, and Bluett continued the recovery with Craig Peters as the 200 was reached with eight overs remaining. The eighth partnership had also added 56 runs, but Wells continued to fight back, and snapped up the remaining three wickets to leave a target of 246 for victory. Bluett's remarkable innings ended at 241, his century including 13 fours, whilst Joseph collected 5-66 from his 15 overs. The reply was precisely what was required, as Mark Alexander (46, 7 x 4) and David Else put together a quality opening stand of 91, each benefitting as attacking strokes gained full value on the excellent outfield, whereupon the home attack broke back with two quick wickets. Else now added 48 runs with Quentin Ferreira, going on to post his second fifty of the 2006 Campaign in a beautifully-paced knock of 52 (9 fours) before falling at 145. Ferreira (39, 7 x 4) kept the chase going with Nick Chambers, who saw the score past 200, but not before Bromley had picked up a further four wickets. With thirteen overs available, Wells still needed 35 runs for an epic win with four wickets in hand, while Joseph - who had arrived at 194-5 - was looking ominously comfortable. The home bowlers managed just two further successes, however, and, from 224-8, Peter Ford and Joseph (37*, 3 x 4, 1 x 6) saw to the accumulation of the required 22 runs, and a wonderful match was completed in Wells' favour by just two wickets with 14 balls to spare. Pocketing 16 points from such a game was a joyous achievement for Wells, who are nicely positioned in the table at fifth - nine points off leaders Beckenham - but with an all-important match in hand. This game, displaced by the TW County Week, is to be played off on August Bank Holiday at the Nevill against fellow-promotion side Blackheath. Wells entertain Folkestone at the Nevill next week with all to play for, and a refreshed confidence in the ranks. 20/05/06 128 for 8 wkts Bickley Park 156 for 8 wkts Bickley Park TW I Losing Draw TW I XI Wells travelled to Bickley Park, and waited in the rain for the chance of a start, which was eventually achieved just after two o'clock. The loss of time required the match to be played on a reduced basis, and 40 overs per side became the format. In gloomy overcast conditions, with a wet outfield to contend with, Wells won the toss and put Bickley Park in to bat, quickly taking advantage as the home innings slipped to 6-2 from 6 overs. Tristan Jervis (34) and Travis Paul (25) then successfully reconnoitred the conditions in posting a hard-fought 55 for the third wicket, which occupied a further 13 overs, but Chris Lawrence and Quentin Ferreira broke back to capture three more wickets to leave matters evenly-balanced. Skipper Chris Coulson (36) then rallied the lower order before being removed by the promising Rob Sharma, and with the wily spin of Peter Ford, the attack kept the home progress nicely in check until the last over, which dragged the Park up to 156-8 by the close of the innings. The reply faltered before David Else (28 with 1 six) and Gareth Williams saw the score to 50-1 after 15 overs, each fighting hard to gain full value for shots normally worth four but holding up short in the damp outfield. The tussle intensified, as the home attack tried all they knew, and, by the 26th over, Wells had been reduced to 77-6, requiring a further 80 runs for an improbable victory at this stage. Ferreira and Simon Routh, however, regained the initiative in adding a rapid 33, the former going on to topscore with 37 (3 fours and one enormous six), which brought the asking rate back within range, and now it was the home side's turn to become anxious. With seven overs to go, and a-run-a-ball needed, Park removed both of these batsmen, and it became a question of whether the final two wickets could be taken or whether Wells could hold firm. Thanks to Ford and Sharma jnr, Wells held on, denying the chance of a home win, and incidentally seeing to the addition of a second batting point in the losing Draw. Ferreira's knock took up just 34 balls. Stumps were drawn at almost eight in the evening, and, ironically, a bright shaft of sunlight bathed the ground as soon as the players had left the scene. 13/05/06 144 for 1 wkt Bexley 143 all out The Nevill TW I won by nine wkts TW I XI Winning the toss, Wells put Bexley in to bat, only to see the visitors launch off with 48 runs in the first 6.4 overs. Although two wickets had been captured in that time, it was impossible to foresee at this stage that the match would be finished after just 60 more overs. The home attack then suddenly found its radar, and thereafter carried all before them, whereas the visitors' innings ran out of application and resolve, despite the early promise of Jamie Askew (34) and later resistance of Steve Richards (41). Once again, young Rob Sharma shone, removing Askew at 79, while Chris Lawrence's 2-30 at the other end ensured there was no more rapid scoring. Hereabouts, Wells turned to the spin of Raj Sharma and Joe Becher, which further reduced the pace of the innings, Sharma running out Sandeep Bains at the non-striker's end. Richards, meanwhile, was holding out with little support, doing the run-making virtually alone, as Quentin Ferreira, on debut, stepped up to erase the tail with a quality return of 3-9. Rob Sharma finally removed the obdurate Richards to close the innings at 143, the last 6 wickets having been taken while 36 runs were scored in 90 balls, leaving seventeen overs of the innings unused. The reply featured another finely-crafted opening partnership between Mark Alexander and David Else, which posted a splendid 96 in 21 overs, and effectively secured the result. Alexander was first to his fifty (9 fours) in a typically hard-hit display, before falling to a mis-timed pull, but Else carried on to the very end, notching a cultured and determined unbeaten 57 (11 fours). Gareth Williams (28*) helped Else add a further 48 runs before striking the winning runs, which came with some 40 overs to spare. Wells pocketed a welcome 16 points from the encounter, moving to third spot in the Table, and giving them precisely the start required following their return to the Premiership. 06/05/06 TW I innings could not begin (rain) Beckenham 275 for 6 wkts Beckenham Incomplete Match TW I XI Beckenham won the toss and batted, soon setting up a solid base as Chris Isles (72) and Johan Malcolm (63) added 86 for the second wicket. The Wells attack, minus one or two regulars, kept going throughout, and gained deserved reward for sound application, picking up 5 further wickets as the score advanced to the 220s. Ben (BJ) Allatt collected three wickets during this phase, while Rob Sharma (1-22) turned in a thoroughly respectable spell in mid-innings - this being his first bowling stint for the senior side. Craig Denness also put in an economical effort, while the main burden was shared by the spinners Peter Ford and Raj Sharma. Acting Captain Simon Routh added two smart stumpings to his catch, but late acceleration from skipper Richard Bedbrook (60*) saw the score to 275 at the close, the lightning-fast outfield proving of distinct advantage to the home batsmen. Regrettably, no response was possible due to the weather, and the match ended without Wells having the chance to chase down an interesting target. The return to the Premiership thus began with a decent share of the points and several notable achievements.