Saturday Second XI Results 2006 Date TW Score Opposition Score Venue Result Team 02/09/06 188 for 3 wkts St.Lawrence 184 all out Highland Court TW II won by 7 wkts TW II XI And so to the final match of the league season. TWCC needed to get seven points more than Dartford or ten points more than Bexley and no less than one point more than Folkestone, all of whom had potentially difficult fixtures. Alas, despite a well-earned victory (16 points), other results meant that TWCC finished bottom of the league with one point less than the sides in 9th and 8th places, and two points behind the side in 7th position. Indeed, only 10 points separated 5th place from 10th. In weather conditions likely to result in an interrupted afternoon, TWCC chose to field at St.Lawrence and Highland Court. A very solid and disciplined bowling performance, in which the senior bowlers demonstrated control, which in some instances has not been shown consistently throughout the season, allowed the home side to be restricted to 184. Had the catch-dropping malaise not continued, this might have been considerably less. A fine run-chase was illuminated by some stunning strokeplay from Will Stickler, who scored a very rapid 85, including the taking of 20 from one over. Suffice to say that he lost nothing in comparison with Kent League legend Simon Luckhurst (49). After they were dismissed in successive overs (37 and 38), some nervous moments ensued before Freddie Quirk became established and drove TWCC to victory, with overs in hand and with some powerful offside shots (22*). 28/08/06 161 for 8 wkts Bromley 170 for 5 wkts Hawkenbury TW II Losing Draw TW II XI The ground at Hawkenbury proved to be a perfectly acceptable occasional venue for 2nd XI Premier League cricket. Sheeting was taken to the ground (thanks to the family Stickler and others) on Sunday evening to provide cover against the elements for the match strip and all was well until... A torrential downpour caused puddles on the remainder of the square and the used wicket-ends became patches of mud. Incredible efforts from the players with rollers, towels and the 'supa sopper' before the eyes of a disbelieving Bromley side resulted in a shortened fixture being played, whilst at the Nevill the 1st XI fixture was abandoned. The 60-over match was enthralling. Bromley won the toss, and after much internal debate chose to bat. A well- constructed and hard-hitting opening partnership from Barbosa (65) and Clinton (60) laid a solid base, the first wicket falling at 112 in the 22nd over. Mark Thompson, in particular, bowled a fine spell, supported by Rob Sharma and Peter Ford. In the quest for wickets and bonus points, James Nethercott was introduced to the attack and claimed three victims, including the openers. Two excellent deepfield catches by Freddie Quirk assisted. In reply, the required rate was maintained throughout the first 20 overs, but at the cost of four wickets. As always in a run chase, wickets in hand are crucial, and generally decisive, and so it proved. Buccaneering Brough Cooper played naturally and effectively, but in the face of some accurate left-arm spin, the total proved to be just beyond the players on the day, as the innings closed with TWCC 10 runs short with two wickets in hand. A further six points were gleaned in pursuit of Premier League survival. 26/08/06 154 for 7 wkts Vine 121 for 8 wkts The Nevill TW II Winning Draw TW II XI After a start delayed by rain, and interrupted by one shower at The Nevill, Tunbridge Wells set a target of 155 in 40 overs for Sevenoaks Vine to pursue. Alex Williams played a patient innings for his top league score (60), despite little material support from his top order colleagues. Ollie Jones provided ballast (21) and another cameo from Peter Ford (30) set up a defendable target. The Vine lost two quick wickets to Graeme Corbishley, but then consolidated in the face of some tight bowling before Tom Elliott, on debut, bowled 11 overs of teasing and potentially match-winning left-arm orthodox spin (11-1-35-3). With a little more expertise in the catching arena, a much needed victory might have been secured rather than leaving The Vine surviving at 120-8. However, a winning draw (12 point) sets up a close finish in the continuing bid to avoid relegation. Another much improved performance - there is hope! 19/08/06 193 for 9 wkts Gore Court 194 for 8 wkts The Grove TW II lost by 2 wkts TW II XI Another absorbing day, this time in sunshine at Gore Court, ended in defeat from the last scheduled ball of the day by two wickets. The loss of early wickets might have fatally undermined the Tunbridge Wells innings, but some splendid strokeplay from Brough Cooper (60) and a very determined and effective innings from Peter Ford (39) set a target of 193 for Gore Court to chase. The seam attack all performed manfully and with good control. In tandem with Ford, they exerted pressure on the experienced Gore Court side and almost secured a much needed victory. However, a 25-over, 100-run partnership between former county player Stuart Waterton (51) and recently dropper 1st teamer Alex Hart (66) did just enough to enable the tail to scramble to victory with six runs off the final over, and one run off the final ball. The side showed much character and can still escape relegation with a couple of good results, despite the precarious current position (bottom). 12/08/06 174 for 9 wkts Folkestone 162 for 8 wkts The Nevill Incomplete Match TW II XI On a day likely to be interrupted by rain Folkestone won the toss and chose to bowl. After a solid, if somewhat cautious pre-rain session (22 overs), a platform had been set. Richard Cutts (56) capitalised on that superbly with a well-timed return to form in the league. Regrettably, a third batting bonus point was narrowly missed, and in its pursuit a further bowling point was gifted to our fellow relegation battlers as the innings closed at 174-9. In reply, Folkestone had 85 minutes plus 20 overs to chase their target of 175. This transpired to be 44 overs, of which the last 20-odd were conducted in very dark conditions, play finally concluding at 20-30pm. After a quick start in the face of some inconsistent medium-pace bowling, the control, consistency and class of Peter Ford played a key role in allowing James Nethercott to claim his first 5-wicket haul of the season as runs were traded for wickets. In the darkness, Nigel Keess helped to keep this control, and an absorbing finale was played out with Folkestone on 162-8 in an incomplete match. TWCC 10 points, FCC 11 points, both gaining points on those who didn't play but regrettably losing ground to nearest rivals Dartford, who had an amazing victory chasing 259 against top of the table Blackheath. Battle has been joined but it will be tough and require commitment and effort to triumph. 05/08/06 152 all out Bromley 153 for 3 wkts Plaistow Lane TW II lost by 7 wkts TW II XI On another hot day promising runs aplenty TWCC won the toss at Bromley and elected to bat. A sound start (45-0) was soon compromised by a not untypical middle order collapse (66-4) against some less than inspiring medium pace bowling. Despite such adversity Simon Luckhurst proceeded to a commanding and welcome 76 before succumbing to an uncharacteristic shot. Graeme Corbishley provided much needed lower-order resistance securing a second batting bonus point. A final total of 152 all out was achieved which one felt likely to be about 100 runs short of par. The less said about the rest of the batting the better. Joe Becher dominated the bowling with a very steady, controlling but unfortunately wicketless, performance. Regrettably most of the support attack could not avoid bowling '4 balls' and Bromley cruised to victory with more than 20 overs to spare. In fairness, the Bromley batsmen played well with little time pressure and were assisted by a couple of dropped catches. The sole saving grace was the last gasp revival which saw one bowling bonus point secured. The relegation dogfight continues! 29/07/06 175 for 7 wkts Blackheath 179 for 3 wkts The Nevill TW lost by 7 wkts TW II XI Wells won the toss on a slow, hard Nevill wicket, and batted first, skipper Harry Florry (34) and Alex Williams (23) guiding the score into the fifties before the League Leaders struck back in reducing the total to 84-5. Veteran Chris Swadkin (2-55) and Clive Ogbimi (3-52) gained reward respectively for wily spin and nagging accuracy, but the fightback for Wells was managed by Jan Ball and young 'keeper Theo Burley, who displayed some entertaining between-the-wickets running before the inevitable disaster befell Burley at 126. Burley has now featured in several notable rearguard actions, and has thoroughly merited his inclusion in the Second Team, not least for his work behind the stumps. Ball, nevertheless, continued to hit about him effectively, and, partnered by Chris Lawrence, saw to the addition of 42 runs as the overs ran out, nine coming in the final six balls to grab a third batting point, and give Blackheath at least a testing target. Ball carried out his bat for 45 runs, with 4 boundaries among his strikes. The reply was soon damaged as Nigel Keess pouched a hatefully quick slip-catch to remove Hadleigh Luff in Lawrence's third over, but Chris Willetts (58) and Stuart Fern (60) soon left this lowpoint behind as they posted 109 runs for the second wicket. The Wells attack was blunted as these two carefully put together a foundation for the eventual win, but each was dismissed as the chase closed in on the target, Christian and Peter Dean then came together to take the game with seven wickets in hand. Wells slipped back into the relegation zone after this contest, but, with a fully balanced eleven, will hope to avoid the drop given the inherent quality within the squad. A 'Spirit of Cricket' moment arose when Chris Lawrence was adjudged lbw but recalled to the wickets by the Blackheath XI when it was realised that he had played the ball with the bat. 22/07/06 222 for 7 wkts Dartford 150 for 9 wkts Hesketh Park TW II Winning Draw TW II XI Wells won the toss and batted in baking heat, but Hesketh Park soon experienced heavy rain, although the game was played through the adverse conditions. The effect on the track was to assist the bowlers with deviation and movement, and the innings suffered accordingly as the score slipped to 77-5. Skipper Nick Chambers then played a quite remarkable innings in the circumstances, given vital and staunch support by young Rob Sharma (16), as a matchsaving partnership of 95 was fashioned. No praise could be too high for Chambers, whose strokeplay brought him exactly 100 runs, most of which had to be run due to the wet outfield, and without which the course of the game would surely have led to defeat. Chambers' watchful and determined effort, with further assistance from Max Melbourn (24*), saw the score to 217, and the acquisition of maximum batting points, and a final target of 223 was set which the conditions now suggested would be taxing. Melbourn and Graeme Corbishley soon found enough in the wicket to prove awkward, and wickets steadily fell as the chase lost momentum. Dartford, however, were able to take the contest into the final phase with some desperate rearguard batting - led by skipper Sean Parker (50), but the visiting attack came to within a wicket of winning the game, as Jamie Baldwin's legspin (3-36) added to the dominance shown earlier by the bowlers. The eighth and ninth wicket fell with an over still to go, but the tailenders held out, nonetheless, and Wells had to be content with maximum points in the Winning Draw. This was a great achievement in the circumstances, and a bellwether for better things, as the campaign nears its finale. The result enabled Wells to rise above the relegation zone, still with a game in hand, facing a contest against League Leaders Blackheath as the next hurdle. Corbishley picked up 3-26 and Melbourn 2-27 in a match in which bowlers of all types were in the ascendancy. 15/07/06 186 for 8 wkts Bexley 224 for 6 wkts The Nevill TW II Losing Draw TW II XI Bexley won the toss and batted at the Nevill, and straightaway Graeme Corbishley grabbed two wickets to have the innings rocking at 44-2. Opener and Skipper Ian Willmott then showed his mettle, and guided the score into the safety of the 160s, before Wells were able to come back with a brace of wickets. Willmott struck ten fours in a staunch 82 which allowed his side then to go for quick runs, and Terry Allen with Paul Roser duly obliged as they added 57 runs in the final eight overs to hoist the score up to 224 at the close. Having held Bexley back for the mostpart of the innings, Wells were thwarted by this late charge, and did themselves no favours with a burst of dropped catches, which also cost them a further bowling point. Corbishley (2-39) was outstanding, and received excellent support from Peter Ford (2-50), who deserved better than his figures might suggest. The target total was perceived to be within range, and an interesting chase was in the offing. Nigel Keess laid the foundation for the reply with a steady 50 (7 fours), and, in partnership with Harry Florry (28), 51 runs were scored for the second wicket. After 32 overs, the total passed the 100-mark, and all was set for a final push for victory at a run-per-ball. Bexley at this point then sent back the strength of the middle order as the score rose to a wobbly 131-6, before young Theo Burley and Andy Kerrison stood firm, and played quite freely latterly, as the safety of the game became more certain. Kerrison (4 fours) played a fine innings to ensure that the defeat was averted, and engineered the collection of three batting points at the same time, but too much was left to be done and the lower order held out for the draw. Wells remain in the relegation zone, albeit with a match in hand, but there are definite signs that the XI will be a force to be reckoned with as the campaign goes into the final phases. 08/07/06 123 for 8 wkts Sandwich 196 for 9 wkts Sandwich Town TW II Losing Draw TW II XI Sandwich Town won the toss and batted on a track which always gave help to the bowlers, Rob Sharma exploiting conditions early on to reduce the innings to 53-3. The brothers Goatham, Robert and Paul, then consolidated the innings, adding 53 runs for the fourth wicket, before Robert (38) partnered James Bolt (36) in seeing the score into the 170s with the prospect of a commanding total looming. However, so keenly did Wells counter this, that five wickets were captured while just twenty runs were made, and the shape of the game was completely turned about as the target was contained to below the 200. Skipper BJ Allatt (3-47) and Graeme Corbishley (2-29) were the architects of this reversal, the latter in his second spell, and this signalled a phase in the match wherein eleven wickets were to fall while just 64 runs were scored. Unfortunately, this period of play included the Wells' reply, which was in disarray at 44-6 after 15 overs, as the home bowlers took full advantage of deviation and swing to erase the early order. Chris Hodgson, Daniel Evans and Jack Bradley kept finding the edges in a devastating passage of play which looked to have propelled the Wells far toward a humiliating defeat. Captain Allatt, however, joined young 'keeper Theo Burley (15 years old) at this point, and, in an amazing rearguard action, defied the rampant home attack for a little more than 27 overs, adding a match-saving 58 runs but more importantly allowing the tail to hold out for the draw. Burley faced 119 balls and recorded an heroic undefeated 37 runs, while Allatt (20 in 76 balls) gave him every assistance in averting a seemingly inevitable reverse. Burley was also able to extract just enough from the lower order to defy the Sandwich bowlers in their quest for 20 points, and Wells escaped with a worthy losing draw as the overs were completed on an extraordinary day of cricket. The sportsmanship of Sandwich's players throughout a tense finale, and indeed throughout the game, was noteworthy, and, while taking the honours, Sandwich were generous in applauding the protagonists of the Wells' fightback. Allatt's allround contribution was a true captain's effort, yet was rewarded by Wells slipping back into the drop zone. 01/07/06 290 for 6 wkts St.Lawrence 209 for 7 wkts The Nevill TW II Winning Draw TW II XI Sent in to bat by the visitors, Wells proceeded to go for, and succeed in, running up a mammoth total at the Nevill, which finally proved enough to secure success, albeit a winning draw on the day, and thereby they lifted themselves out of the drop zone. Despite an early loss, Alex Williams - newly promoted - and Evert Bekker - returning to the IIs - lifted their side in an exhilarating partnership of 117 runs. Each player notched ten fours, Williams in particular showing a wide range of attacking shots with delightful placement, and Bekker settling in to forge a pathfinding knock to enable a later assault. Williams eventually fell to a loose shot, but Bekker and Tim Luckhurst posted a further 45 runs before Bekker departed for 73, allowing in skipper Nick Chambers to take the score beyond mere bonus points. With six fours and safe swift running, Chambers piloted the score into the 270s, while Oli Reynolds and Rob Sharma grabbed some quick runs, and a final total of 290 was reached at the close. Two weeks previously, this XI had written a minor piece of history in putting together three individual half-centuries, and now here they were doing it again (so much for records!) - Williams (56), Bekker (73), and Chambers (60) being concerned on this occasion. With renewed effort, Wells set about the visitor's innings in determined fashion, a wonderful one-handed catch from James Nethercott breaking the opening stand at 50, and then a flurry of wickets gave Wells a very strong hold on the match as St.Lawrence slipped to 99-6 after 33 overs. The catalyst for this turnabout was young Sharma, who snapped up 3-28 to add to two fine catches, and give hope of an all-out win after two unhappy reverses. St.Lawrence, nonetheless, were made of sterner stuff, and proceeded to thwart the hitherto rampant attack. Opener Paul Reynolds had watched these developments from the other end, and, moving to a calm and steady half-century, finally found a reliable partner in Number 8 David Smith. These two carefully added 99 runs, Smith going on to a splendid 64 (7 x 4 and 1 x 6), while Reynolds anchored the fightback, going on to carry his bat for a painstaking undefeated 80, which allowed St.Lawrence to stave off almost certain defeat. All manner of bowling was tried towards the end, but in vain as the wicket itself proved to be the winner, and Wells ran out with a winning draw plus 13 points, having re-discovered the formula for success in an improved performance on the day. 24/06/06 257 all out Vine 260 for 3 wkts The Vine TW II lost by 7 wkts TW II XI Tunbridge Wells 2nd XI visited Sevenoaks Vine on Saturday, with both teams looking to improve on defeats the previous week. The home team won the toss, and invited Tunbridge Wells to bat. There was some life in the pitch, which caused the openers some problems, but Wells made a steady start, reaching 50 in the 10th over for the loss of 1 wicket. Brough Cooper (57) continued to impress, and both Evert Bekker (35) and Oli Reynolds (43) - returning from university - made successful starts and batted attractively, despite loose shots to get themselves out. Wells looked good until the 33rd over - with the score at 176, both Cooper and Reynolds were dismissed and the scoring slowed as the new men settled. Theo Burley (41), the team’s 15-year-old wicket-keeper, added valuable runs in the face of some hostile commentary from many of the opposition, and the crowds were treated to a swashbuckling turn from Graeme Corbishley (20) to finish. The last man was dismissed with the last ball of the innings, leaving the Vine to chase 258 for the win. The home reply was well constructed. In spite of the loss of an early wicket, opener Toby Sheppard (73) and captain Chris Crang (116*) batted well, punishing bad balls and running well between the wicket. Tunbridge Wells were guilty of dropped catches which gave both men the chance to make large totals, which they duly took. Evert Bekker was the pick of the Wells' bowlers, striking a good line, and making life hard for the batsmen. Nonetheless, two late wickets could not stop the Vine from reaching their target in the 49th over, Crang notching 13 fours in his match-winning undefeated century. Although a disappointing result, some good batting performances are encouraging, as Wells look to improve against St Lawrence this weekend. 17/06/06 248 for 7 wkts Gore Court 253 for 4 wkts The Nevill TW II lost by 6 wkts TW II XI Put in to bat, Wells recovered grandly from 11-1 as Nigel Keess (71) and Tim Luckhurst (92) posted 133 for the second partnership, ensuring that a par total would be founded on a perfect strip for batting. While Keess anchored the effort, Luckhurst was his fluent best, notching 16 boundaries in a splendidly-paced knock, which transformed the shape of the innings. Unlucky to miss his century, Luckhurst departed at 143, whereupon Keess stepped up a gear, but the Court struck back with a brace of wickets, and, when Craig Denness strode to the wicket, only nine overs remained to drive home the advantage. Denness battered fours and sixes at will, blazing an undefeated 52 in just 37 balls, an astonishing tour de force which propelled Wells to 248 as the overs ran out. The final over saw two wickets fall in the attempt to get Denness back on strike, duly achieved for the last ball, which went sweetly to the fence to bring up his half-century. A curiosity was that three individual fifties were scored (no-one else making double-figures), thought to be a unique occurrence for the Second Team. In a reprise of the match at the Grove, the chase featured a high-quality century, this time supplied by Matt Tombs, who showed that the wicket had lost none of its benign nature. Notching 16 fours, Tombs hit a magnificent 108, with partnerships for the first three wickets of 69, 50 and 67 respectively, and where he left off, Christian Marsh continued, hitting up 57 and taking his side to the very brink of victory. Graeme Corbishley (2-40) briefly promised to curb the run-scoring, but so well had Tombs and Marsh timed their innings that the target was overhauled with six wickets in hand and one over remaining. Wells had to be content with just bonus points, but remain safe in the Table, and an extraordinary match, which produced over 500 runs on the day, went to Gore Court in batsman-friendly conditions throughout. 10/06/06 241 for 9 wkts Folkestone 140 all out (A) TW II won by 101 runs TW II XI Tunbridge Wells 2nd team travelled to Folkestone on Saturday to contest a game with the team one position above them in the league. Folkestone won the toss and invited the visitors to bat. Tunbridge Wells made a steady start as Nigel Keess and Elliott Hughes took a few overs to adjust to the pace of the wicket. Both then started to play more freely and took the score to 53 before Hughes (20) was unfortunate to play on. This brought Tim Luckhurst to the crease and together with Keess produced a 114 run partnership for the second wicket. Both batsmen showed their skill and experience punishing any bad ball and forcing good singles. Folkestone had opportunities to break the stand, but were disappointing in the field, dropping 2 chances. Both men however fell within an over of each other, Luckhurst (48, 6 fours) was caught on the boundary just two short of a half-century, while Keess (92, 14 fours) was also caught out, having put Wells into a very commanding position. With 12 overs remaining, the other batsmen all chipped in with useful runs, but wickets fell regularly, and the innings closed on 241 for 9. Folkestone’s reply never really began. After 10 overs they were 32 for 2 with Max Melbourn picking up the wickets of the two openers. It was the spin of James Nethercott and Oliver Jones that broke the back of the innings, Nethercott bowling consistently well, and being duly rewarded with 4 wickets, while Jones, although less accurate, demonstrated his ability to spin the ball and collected 3 wickets, including a ‘Shane Warne’ style dismissal, bowling the experienced Roy Downey around his legs. The innings was wrapped up by Sonny Mohammed bowling the last man with the score at 140, leaving Wells with a convincing win by 101 runs and 20 points. 13/05/06 135 all out Bexley 208 for 7 wkts Bexley TW II lost by 73 runs TW II XI Winning the toss, Bexley batted, only for Sunny Mohammed to remove two of the first three batsmen with only a single on the board. Just as in the senior game, fortunes then changed completely, and Chris Pinnock (76) with Jack Wells (40) added a hard-fought 75, which put the innings back on course. Honours remained even awhile, until Ian Willmott and Rick Melbourne put on 52 for the sixth wicket, at which point Mohammed returned to grab two further wickets, in all ending with a doughty 4-38. Max Melbourn, on debut, removed Pinnock, but success was otherwise strictly limited, and the target was set at a daunting 209 to win. Wells' reply tottered to 15-3, but Brough Cooper and young Will Arthur set about a recovery, in all adding a splendid 83 for the fourth partnership, Cooper going on to topscore on debut with a well-made 48. The introduction of Richard O'Sullivan (5-35) saw mainly to the removal of the remaining wickets while 37 runs were added, and the visitors fell to defeat by 73 runs as the innings subsided to 135 all out. Arthur made a staunch 36, but eleven overs were left unused in the chase. Cooper's fine effort had ended at 106, but the failure to combat Kent Coach O'Sullivan's wily bowling meant that the draw was taken out of the equation 06/05/06 11 for no wkt Sandwich Town 157 all out The Nevill Incomplete Match TW II XI Wells won the toss and put newly-promoted Sandwich in to bat with immediate results as the visitors slipped to 2-2, Sonny Mohammed and Graeme Corbishley each grabbing a quick wicket. The innings never truly recovered from this start, but staunch efforts from Mark Baldock and Paul Goatham (36 apiece) ensured there was no walkover. Wickets, however, continued to fall, and 113-4 was turned into 157 all out, with all of the home attack making some impression. Notable were the efforts on debut of Quentin Ferreira (2-13 from 7) and Joe Becher (3-26 from 12), but honours went to Mohammed who snapped up 4-39, easily his best haul in the competition, and Sandwich hobbled to an under-par all out total which the Wells batsmen would have fancied overhauling. A bare 22 balls later, and the overcast skies at the Nevill produced a steady rain which ended the reply at 11 for no wicket, with no further play being possible. This outcome saw Wells take 9 points from the encounter, and so a promising match was left incomplete, a story which was repeated across the County. 29/04/06 223 for 2 wkts Southgate 222 all out The Nevill TW I won by 8 wkts TW I XI Southgate Cricket Club provided the opposition for Tunbridge Wells 2nd XI at the Nevill on Saturday. The opposition won the toss, and decided to bat on a wicket that looked hard and well- prepared. The good condition of the wicket and lightening-fast outfield meant runs would be easy to come by if the bowling was not tight and accurate, and, unfortunately, far too many bad balls were bowled by the Wells team. Mark Thompson even so bowled a good line to restrict the opposition somewhat, but runs came regularly. With the introduction of the slow bowlers, Tunbridge Wells came back into the game. Oliver Jones and James Nethercott, although expensive, picked up 5 valuable wickets between them. A good run out, and some quick wickets at the end for the returning quicker bowlers, meant Southgate were all out for 222, a total which looked ominous. After tea, the experienced Mark Alexander and the promising young batsman Alex Williams opened the Wells’ innings and both set about the task splendidly. Alexander, in his usual aggressive style hit a series of boundaries and was backed up almost measure for measure by 15 year old Williams, who was timing the ball superbly. Alexander lashed a six to bring up his half-century after just 13 overs, and the pair pushed the score up to 140 in double-quick time before Williams, playing the only bad shot of his innings, was caught for 46. Tim Luckhurst, another experienced player, came in, and continued to score quickly and stylishly, meanwhile Alexander was bowled shortly after reaching a punishing century which had put Wells on the victory path. Another youngster, Will Arthur, partnered Luckhurst safely to the eight-wicket win, duly achieved with several overs in hand. 22/04/06 162 for 8 wkts Gravesend 107 all out The Nevill TW I won by 55 runs TW I XI On arguably the most pleasant day of the year so far, Tunbridge Wells 2nd XI took on Gravesend at the Nevill, which looked to have weathered the hockey season very well. Both teams had some new players whom they were keen to look at, as well as a few more seasoned players raring to get the season started successfully. Tunbridge Wells won the toss and elected to bat on a well- prepared, if typically slow, wicket. Nigel Keess and Will Stickler opened, and began the innings encouragingly, with Stickler scoring a very controlled half-century on a pitch that was difficult to score on. The experienced Wells top order all chipped in with some runs, and, despite losing quick wickets towards the end of the innings, Wells finished on 162 for 8 after their 40 overs. Gravesend went out to bat after tea, and their openers started steadily against the Wells attack, led by Chris Lawrence and Sonny Mohammed. Lawrence made the breakthrough, however, and wickets continued to fall steadily from then on. Graeme Corbishly and BJ Allatt bowled a good line and were rewarded with 4 and 2 wickets respectively as Gravesend tried hard to score on an ever-slowing pitch. A wicket on debut for Vipen Sharma finished the innings as Chris Lawrence pulled off a spectacular catch at point. Gravesend were bowled out for 107 giving Wells a satisfactory victory.