Saturday First XI Results 2007 Date TW Score Opposition Score Venue Result Team 08/09/07 129 for 1 wkt Tenterden 127 for 9 wkts The Nevill TWCC won by 9 wkts TWCC I XI The final Saturday game of 2007 at The Nevill saw a visit from the newly-promoted Tenterden First XI, and, although neither TWCC nor the visitors were able to field their full side following their respective League campaigns, a 40-over friendly was played out. Tenterden opted to bat first on their visit to the County Ground, and suffered a run-out in the second over. Two more wickets were snapped up as Evert Bekker (2-18) found his way through tentative defensive strokes, but the visitors pulled away in a fine fourth partnership of 85 to give the innings both stability and substance. Skipper Matt Barton, staunchly supported by Chris Hobbs, drove and hit freely as the Wells attack devolved largely upon spin, and he went on to collect ten boundaries in a battling 65 which took the score past the 100-mark. Tragically, Barton then also was run out, Hobbs perished soon after, and, despite lasting out the full forty overs, Tenterden lost six wickets as only 26 runs were added, and left a target of 128 for Wells to attain. Rob Sharma (2-25 with a ‘two-in-two’) spearheaded this collapse, and the home attack all contributed in the reduction of the innings. The reply featured an expansive 26 from Alex Williams, but Paul Hope and Tevis Knight (jnr) required care as the ball seamed about. Will Stickler provided the anchor-role, but Williams departed at 42-1, to be replaced by Richard Cutts, who proceeded to play a commanding and match-winning knock of 60 to take Wells home without further loss. These two young players added an undefeated 87 runs for the second stand, Cutts being particularly severe on the predominantly spin attack with 10 fours from just 45 balls. Stickler added a not-out 31 in this effort, and Wells cantered home from just 19.2 overs with nine wickets in hand, at no time being truly extended in the chase. On Sunday, the XI, somewhat the worse for wear after the Annual Curry Night, despatched Waldron by ten wickets to wrap up a highly successful season for TWCC. 01/09/07 194 for 5 wkts Sevenoaks Vine 193 all out The Vine TWCC won by 5 wkts TWCC I XI Away to local rivals at Sevenoaks Vine, Wells yet again won the toss, and asked the home side to bat. The Vine struggled to make headway in the face of the three-pronged pace attack which the visitors used, and, once Quentin Ferreira had removed danger-man John Bowden at 65-2, the innings faltered to 90-5, with Ferreira and Chris Lawrence bagging a pair apiece. Bowden had threatened to take control, slapping Lawrence back over his head for six, but his effort was ended for 44 just when he looked to be about to dominate. As the quicks were rested, Fred Florry (4-38) spun out the late order, including the vital scalp of Alex Rayner (49), who had taken the Vine to 158-8, and the tail briefly wagged as another 35 runs were added before the innings closed on 193 with an over unused. The reply was anchored after an early loss by Dan Thirkell, playing his finest innings for Wells in his debut season. Busily putting the ball about, Thirkell partnered Jamie Baldwin as the score was taken to 72-2, then found a staunch ally in Evert Bekker and a match-winning stand for the fourth wicket of 78 was fashioned. Bekker at times hit extremely hard, at one point almost cleaning up the umpire, and Thirkell added trademark drives and cuts as he moved on to his maiden 50. Bekker eventually perished for a memorable 40, the Vine struck back with a couple of consolation wickets, but Thirkell carried out his bat for an excellent and dominant undefeated 78 as Wells coasted to a five-wicket win with ten overs to spare. The 16 points gathered in pushed Wells back up to fifth in the Table, their best placing since 1998 when the Club came out third. The campaign ended as it had begun, with a couple of all-out victories, and only a disastrous run after the rains of July dented that overall performance. Premier status had been preserved once again, but in 2007, it could safely be said that progress had been made, notwithstanding that the building of the XI still requires a few more adjustments to be able to challenge consistently at the highest level. 27/08/07 151 for 7 wkts Blackheath 150 all out The Nevill TWCC won by 3 wkts TWCC I XI News had come in that the Relegation ‘shoot-out’ between Gore Court and Bickley Park had been resolved, the Park losing and thus playing in Division I for 2008. The load was thereby lifted from Tunbridge Wells, and the XI responded manfully to the task, playing off the ‘game-in-hand’ on BH Monday against Blackheath, and recording a nerve-wracking three-wicket win, in which Quentin Ferreira was outstanding. Blackheath elected to bat on a typically low-slow track at The Nevill, and the Wells attack provided a spirited display as the innings spluttered to 58-5. Chris Lawrence (3-39) put in a masterly opening spell, backed by Oli Reynolds and Evert Bekker (2-29), but Alex Senn (62) saved the visitors in a technically adroit knock which served to give the effort respectability. Finding a staunch ally in Christian Dean, 60 runs were posted for the sixth partnership, before Ferreira (3-9) commenced the clean-up of the late order. The tail-enders managed to drag the total up to 150 before a smart run-out concluded matters, and Wells were left with 57 overs to get the runs. The home performance in the field was as cohesive and committed as at any time in the campaign, and a confident air seemed to pervade the side altogether, with the relegation problem no longer an issue. The reply was solidly launched as David Else and Jamie Baldwin put together 44 runs for the opening stand, but Blackheath then snapped up two quick wickets, before Ferreira played the innings of the game (59) to pilot Wells to within nine runs of the target. ‘Q’ cracked six fours and two enormous sixes (one endangering this writer’s car), and received support from Baldwin and a slightly wobbly middle order. The visitors came back into the game with five wickets as the chase manoeuvred from 98-2 to 142-7, two-in-two for Warren Lee (3-55) making the outcome even then problematic, but Brough Cooper and skipper Simon Routh closed out the threat to take Wells home without further mishap. Wells happily pocketed 16 points from the game, moving them back up to sixth in the table, with the final game away to Sevenoaks Vine next week providing the opportunity for further improvement. With the success of the second string assured, TWCC will again have their top two XIs in their respective Premier Divisions for 2008. 25/08/07 108 all out St.Lawrence 207 for 6 wkts The Nevill TWCC lost by 99 runs TWCC I XI The weakened Wells XI limped to another defeat, which proved to be enough for St.Lawrence to take 20 points, and become the 2007 KCL Champions, displacing Bromley after a winning run spanning three years. Winning the toss, TWCC put the visitors in, and immediately Chris Lawrence and leading wicket-taker Oli Reynolds found movement and assistance on the slow, damp track, reducing St.Lawrence to 31-4 with a brace of wickets apiece. A nick to the keeper from number six Charlie Hemphrey - then on 0 – would have opened the gate, but the decision was not given, and the game moved on. Hemphrey played very freely, with 7 fours and three sixes in a match-turning knock of 62, adding 91 with opener Paul Dixey (48). Wells finally snapped up a couple of late wickets, but Lewis Jenkins drove home the advantage with an unbeaten half-century, which took the visitors past 200, the sixth and seventh wicket partnerships adding a final 85 runs at a devastating tempo. The match having been reduced to 50 overs per side, the target represented a chase of just over four runs per over. The reply suffered the early loss of David Else, courageously playing through a hand injury, but Jamie Baldwin and Dan Thirkell survived the rampant St.Lawrence attack long enough to suggest the possibility of survival. Sadly, despite prolonged resistance from Quentin Ferreira (31), this hope proved stillborn. Leading all-rounder James Lincoln (4-28), admirably supported by his bowling colleagues and exemplary attacking fielding, ripped out the middle order, and Wells tottered from 52-2 to 63-6, and the innings was in free-fall. Reynolds stayed with Ferreira awhile, but a ghastly mix-up produced a run-out removing the former, the latter perished almost at once, and it was left to the tail to gather some consolation runs as St.Lawrence homed in on the Championship Title. Altogether, the innings lasted just 36.3 overs, but the fightback from the visitors showed the mettle of champions, and, once the match had been set up, St.Lawrence were relentless in their single-minded drive on to eventual victory. 18/08/07 115 for 7 wkts Bickley Park 114 all out Bickley Park TWCC won by 3 wkts TWCC I XI A match of significance for both XIs assumed truly heroic proportions in a final twist to a fascinating encounter, as a nerveless and courageous eighth partnership for Wells turned the bowlers' paradise around for just enough time to enable an extraordinary victory to be achieved. Either side was in relegation trouble if on the wrong end of a result, but nothing preceding the eventual finale was possible to imagine until Brough Cooper and Peter Ford brought about the 62 runs that were required from a desperate position of 53-7, the target of 114 at one time seemingly impossible to reach. Richard Clinton held the early BPCC effort together, but Oli Reynolds (5-29 and three catches) was a one-man destruction agent, and the innings was in tatters at 67-7. Wells' attack gave every assistance, but a couple of blemishes spoiled the groundwork, yet luckily neither proved expensive. Alex Gariff (19) rallied the tail to last out the overs, but a final total of 114 was surely within easy compass. The reply was deeply flawed, well as Barry Hooper and Richard Horner (4-31) bowled, and soon added to a disastrous recent sequence as the chase tottered to a paltry 34-6. Reynolds stayed awhile as Brough Cooper got his bearings, but, departing at 53, it looked all up for the Wells. Cooper, nonetheless, was undaunted, and now came the perfect partner in Peter Ford, never one to sell out cheaply, and the unbelievable became a reality. Slowly, ever surely, these two ground out the runs required, seventy was reached, then eighty, then ninety. And no chances were offered. Finally, the hundred was attained, and the epic partnership moved on remorsely to the target. Cooper stayed for 37 undefeated runs, his pathfinding rescue coming from 79 balls, and Ford battled out the remainder, coming in with a not out 18, and Wells got home with three wickets to spare in a memorable climax to end the losing streak which had beset the team, never mind the loss of the Club Captain Mark Smith and the Overseas Star David Else. It is only fair at this point to record that the successful Wells skipper, Jamie Baldwin, is aged just 19 - a debut to overshadow anything else - in a squad infused with talented youngsters, as are the other TWCC teams - and it is difficult to ponder whether another, younger, captain has been in charge in the Premier Division at any other time. 'Coometh the hour, coometh the man' as the sage said ... Brough Cooper truly earned his spurs in this nail-biting and gallant endeavour, undoubtedly saving his side from the possible humiliation of relegation. 11/08/07 151 all out Blackheath 152 for 3 wkts The Rectory TWCC lost by 7 wkts TWCC I XI Following upon last week's disaster, when a valued player was lost to a freakish injury, and gaining next to no points, Wells had to have long odds on the same thing happening again ... yet happen it did. Overshadowing all else in a game again lost by weak batting was the injury to skipper Mark Smith, who, in attempting an outfield catch, fell awkwardly and broke his arm. Smith (45) had done all he could to see his side set a respectable total, but assistance was scant, with only Harry Florry (32) contributing, runscoring at The Rectory always being difficult and time-consuming. Setting a target of only 153, Wells managed just three wickets (and thus a second bonus point), and were easily defeated to nosedive to joint seventh in the table following a third consecutive defeat. While the spectre of relegation is still distant, an allround improvement will be needed to maintain Premier Division status, serving thus to emphasise the importance of the upcoming game against Bickley Park, themselves staring at the drop, with 14 points between the two sides and much hanging upon the result. The loss of the two injured players may yet have an impact. On a less sombre note, it should be noted that this game was the 350th First Team appearance by Simon Routh, a sequence which commenced in 1980. 04/08/07 159 for 8 wkts Beckenham 160 for 2 wkts The Nevill TWCC lost by 8 wkts TWCC I XI At last bathed in glorious sunshine, The Nevill Ground became the stage for a second weak showing with the bat for Wells, which allowed Beckenham & Sydenham to power to a third successive Premier win on Saturday. Skipper Mark Smith opted for first use of the wicket, but immediately the visiting attack found some movement. With the score at nine, Richard Bedbrook moved one away from David Else to give Duncan Spencer a regulation catch behind. A short stand was ended by a thunderbolt from Brent Arnel that uprooted timber to send Daniel Thirkell on his way, and soon afterwards Spencer accepted another catch to put Wells in deep trouble at 25-3. Evert Bekker then set about the home recovery, putting the innings to rights with a barrage of fine shots, and his partner Jamie Baldwin lent valuable support. A full toss from Al Lee ended Baldwin's vigil, yet Bekker found another staunch ally in Harry Florry. With Arnel off to hospital after a fielding mishap, Beckenham turned to spin, and Ally Owen-Browne immediately struck his usual mesmerising length and line. Bekker completed an excellent 56 before he was bowled by Owen-Browne, and then Johan Malcolm took over. Bowling his off-spin accurately, Malcolm swept away the lower order with a spell of 3-1 in two overs, and Wells closed on 159-8 after a useful ninth partnerhip from Simon Routh (12*) and Oli Reynolds (20*) had brought up a singular batting point. Mention must be made of the sporting gesture from Wells in providing two different substitute fielders for the stricken Arnel, both of whom acted in the spirit of the game and put in good, solid fielding performances. The Beckenham & Sydenham reply started in sound fashion, with Chris Isles getting his drives into gear early on, while James Evans played the steadying role. Gradually, Evans began to open up and dominated the stand until he advanced down the track to the spin of Fred Florry to be smartly stumped by Simon Routh for 40. Isles, meanwhile, was unstoppable, and was given similar attacking support by Alex Blake. Wells were made to pay for dropping Isles three times as he blazed to a matchwinning 50, so that when F.Florry finally bowled him for 63, Blake was in complete command and there were no more successes for the home side as Blake finished unbeaten on 45. The nett effect of the encounter was to send Wells down one further position in the table to sixth, just 32 points separating the bottom side from the four above them. Else, despite his kindness in shepherding Arnel to the A&E, himself was injured when missing Isles, and may be forced to miss several games in the run-in, thus restricting Wells' options at selection at a critical time with the 'game-in-hand' in the offing. 28/07/07 79 all out Bromley 197 all out Plaistow Lane TWCC lost by 118 runs TWCC I XI Winning the toss, Wells put Bromley in to bat, and largely vindicated that decision after the top three home batsmen had seen the score to 138-1 after 32 overs. Leo Taylor (67) provided the basis for this daunting score, with vignettes from Nadim Shahid and Grant Sheen in support. So successfully did the Wells attack come back into the game, however, that the remaining nine wickets were captured for the addition of just 59 runs, a magnificent effort from Quentin Ferreira (5-36) leading the way, with assistance from Mark Smith (2-49), Chris Lawrence (2-44), and Fred Florry contributing equally as Bromley were tumbled out for 197 with just three balls to spare. Evergreen veteran Simon Routh added a stumping to his three catches in a not altogether flawless performance in the field. Bromley had been humanised by two consecutive defeats, and the chase thus would be that much more taxing, yet David Else (20) and Jamie Baldwin (16) steadily put up 37 runs before the first breakthrough occurred, whereupon a collapse took place as complete as it was unexpected, and Wells were bundled out for a further 42 runs in just 28 overs. Tom Mees (3-25) took the first three wickets to fall, Matthew Dennington (4-20) ripped out numbers four to seven, and Ruel Braithwaite (3-30) removed the tail, as Wells were catapulted headlong to a 118-run defeat, handing Bromley 20 points and allowing them to close the gap on leaders St.Lawrence. The track had been relaid and greatly favoured the home quicks, but a better exhibition of fast bowling would be hard to find, and the visitors' young batsmen had no answers. Dennington further distinguished himself with four catches at first slip - all juggled - but Wells were left to rue several missed chances which might have changed the game: Taylor was missed on 37, Shahid early on, and Sheen before he had scored - all off skipper Mark Smith - which could make for some interesting selections over the next few weeks. With Blackheath losing to Lordswood, Wells move down to fifth spot in the Table, and there promises to be a most interesting run-in in prospect. Most Premier sides can (and have) beaten most others, and the final few games will be fully contested, Wells holding one ace being the 'game-in-hand'. 14/07/07 189 all out Lordswood 153 for 9 wkts The Nevill TWCC Winning Draw TWCC I XI Wells won a good toss and batted on what soon was found to be a very slow wicket, where the ball held up in the outfield, making fast-scoring very difficult. A pedigree half-century from David Else was the foundation of the home innings, and a second partnership of 53 with Min Patel fostered hopes of a substantial total before Lordswood removed the middle order cheaply to reduce Wells to 75-4. Else, who managed seven fours, was fifth out at 101, whereupon Daniel Thirkell (29) and Will Stickler (21) all but ensured the first of a brace of batting points, before Evert Bekker extracted almost forty more runs from the tail. Bekker played a remarkably snappy and free knock (29*), and his effort ensured a testing target of 190 for victory. The drying of the outfield after the rains meant that only 16 strokes reached the boundary, with the remaining aggregate being all-run. The reply featured an obdurate opening stand which was only broken when 'leggie' Jamie Baldwin induced a two-minds (four or six) dilemma which resulted in a skied catch, but Wells then carried all before them as the chase completely lost discipline and direction. Despite missing Oli Reynolds for a second week, and having a partially-fit Patel, the burden of attack was shouldered manfully by Quentin Ferreira (2-33) in a 15-over stint, and spectacularly by skipper Mark Smith (4-31), who removed numbers three and four in two balls, to send Lordswood reeling to 46-3. Peter Stock, badly missed in the second over, played a doughty knock of 48, and whilst receiving support from Mussavir Khote (41), seemed to be dragging the visitors back into the match, but Smith and Ferreira struck again to send Lordswood tottering to 124-8, and only some staunch defending from Kevin Masters held up the attack. Great pressure was brought to bear against the last three batsmen, in order to secure an all-out win, but Wells were at length denied by the last pair who nevertheless just had enough defiance to secure the draw. The Winning Draw gave Wells twelve points, and an all-out win by Blackheath served to move them down a place to fourth in the Table, enhancing thus the prospects for the game-in-hand on the August Bank Holiday. 07/07/07 320 for 6 wkts Gore Court 303 for 9 wkts The Grove TWCC Winning Draw TWCC I XI It was commented last year that one could see how 600-run matches were accomplished at The Grove, and TWCC proceeded to turn theory into reality as they posted their highest Premiership One-Day total on a wicket that tested any bowler worth the name. David Else wore down the attack in carrying his bat for 132, and shared in a record second partnership of 161 with Min Patel, who struck the ball about in dynamic style. Unluckily despatched one short of three figures, Patel took the home attack apart as he lashed boundary after boundary, setting Wells on the road to a powerful total, while Else gave the necessary support without ever neglecting to keep the scoreboard moving. Quentin Ferreira added 56 with Else, followed by a cameo from skipper Mark Smith, and the three hundred was hoisted as Court grabbed some belated wickets to earn reward after hours of leather-chasing. Those final twenty runs were to prove vital, however, and the home side were set a staggering 321 for victory. The reply, rehearsed on many another occasion, was undaunted by large numbers, and Martin McCague with Tim Sparke showed that the chase was definitely on as they saw the score to 221-2 with plenty of overs in hand. Kent prodigy Sam Northeast then took up the challenge in a finely paced knock which was to take the home side to within 30 runs of an amazing win. Patel had other ideas, however, snapping up 4-18 to haul Gore Court back, and three catches each for Smith and Will Stickler pulled the game round towards Wells again as the sheer size of the task became clear. Northeast finally perished for an excellent 73, and, despite a further wicket falling, the last pair safely negotiated the final nine balls to defy defeat. McCague made 69, and Sparke 78, while Else recorded a personal best for TWCC, adding a stumping for good measure. In pocketing 14 points from the encounter, Wells are nicely placed at joint third in the Table, with the campaign now into the last eight. 23/06/07 142 all out St.Lawrence 263 for 6 wkts Highland Court TWCC lost by 121 runs TWCC I XI Wells put the home side in to bat, and when St.Lawrence were brought to 78-4 after some 22 overs, things looked very promising. Quentin Ferreira (4-55) and skipper Mark Smith had removed danger men James Lincoln and Lewis Jenkins cheaply when rain intervened briefly, but what followed changed the complexion of the game altogether. Overseas player Stu Mills partnered James Medhurst in a fifth stand of 158 which transformed the innings. Twenty boundaries were struck in this phase, Medhurst in all scoring 50 from such hits, and the runrate was sustained at almost 6-per-over throughout. Mills made a cultured and steadfast 62, but Medhurst was unstoppable, reaching a quite remarkable century just before the close. Wells struck back briefly with a couple of quick wickets, but the target set was a daunting 264 to win. Hereabouts a lengthy rain delay brought about an early tea, but the match continued shortly afterwards. The visitors played poorly, the low bounce making hesitant strokeplay fatal, but Sam Ireland (6-25) took full advantage of some across-the-line defence in two spells which effectively wiped out Wells' hopes of even survival. There was one bright spot in an innings which saw eight batsmen contribute just thirteeen runs between them. Skipper Smith battled alone to an heroic half-century, being supported at length by Evert Bekker on his first appearance of the season after University duties. This pair took the score from 57-5 to 129 before the returning Ireland brought matters to a rapid conclusion. The innings took up just 38 overs, and fell short of the home total by as many as 121 runs. No batting points were added to the two bowling points, but, mercifully, Wells dropped just one place to fourth in the table after all the results had come in. Smith hit 11 fours in his defiant 61, while Bekker's 41 contained four 4s and two 6s, coming at better than a run-per-ball. 16/06/07 291 for 9 wkts Bickley Park 244 for 6 wkts The Nevill TWCC Winning Draw TWCC I XI TWCC won the toss and batted on a well-made track which had been prepared for use during the County Week, and thus would hold the promise of safe run-making. Neil Dexter and David Else found conditions exactly to their liking as the 50 was posted after 8 overs, but Robbie Joseph found a good one to end Dexter's rapid 38 (7 fours), and the runrate slowed awhile. Quentin Ferreira and Else struck up 55 for the 4th stand, restoring the tempo to around a run-per-ball, but the Park hit back in capturing five wickets yet were unable to stem the flow of runs. Else (11 fours) was eventually dismissed for a sparkling 97, in a welcome return to his 2006 form, and around his well-paced knock the Wells innings had prospered to the tune of 222-6. Daniel Thirkell and Brough Cooper then added a rapid 58 for the seventh wicket, rattling along at an almost alarming rate, Cooper striking the only six of the game from the tiring attack, but a late tumble of wickets prevented the 300 from being posted as the overs ran out. Thirkell played snappy, attractive cricket, and was unlucky to miss his first half-century by just one run. The target set was a daunting 292. The reply suffered an immediate loss as Oli Reynolds made the inevitable break-through, but Park rallied in adding 114 for the second partnership as Alex Darroch (63) and Dan Pearce found the wicket less than threatening. Wells kept the game tight, however, and at no stage allowed the chase to become dangerous. Pearce's long vigil came to an end at 210, his 98 (10 fours) effectively preventing Wells from pressing for all-out victory, and the equation then became 80 runs from the final nine overs. Two wickets soon fell in the quest for quick scoring, but the placid surface allowed for easy survival, and Bickley had no difficulty in holding out for the draw. Splendid outfield catches were held by Else and Chris Lawrence, and an exceptional caught-and-bowled was effected by skipper Mark Smith on his opposite number. Wells pocketed twelve points from the encounter to land themselves at third in the table, ahead of Blackheath on equal points by virtue of more victories. 02/06/07 201 for 9 wkts Beckenham 135 all out The Foxgrove TWCC won by 66 runs TWCC I XI On a glorious sunny day at Foxgrove, Mark Smith won the toss for TWCC, and chose to bat first on a firm pitch that did not have a lot of pace in it. Wells were tied down by fine opening spells from Brent Arnel and Alistair Lee, who both beat the bat regularly. Lee it was who removed openers Jamie Baldwin and David Else, well held by Ally Owen-Browne and Chris Isles respectively. Smith and Quentin Ferreira then took the score to 90, before Arnel broke through to remove the former for 26. Ferreira pushed the score along at a good rate, and struck two magnificent sixes in the process, until Owen-Browne's spin produced a mis-cue to give a smart catch to 15-year old Jamie O'Connell, making his First Team debut. A couple of further wickets fell to Owen-Browne and the returning Lee as Beckenham & Sydenham tried to exert pressure, but Will Stickler (30) and Ollie Priestman (17*) - another on his debut for the First XI - then stood firm while gathering vital runs. Daniel Thirkell had also chipped in with a needy 29, and contributions down the list took the visitors to 201-9 as the overs ran out. The home reply started brightly enough, until the dependable Oli Reynolds (3-30) found the edge of James Evans' bat to give Else the catch. Isles and Alex Blake then started to dominate the Wells bowling with a good stand of 48 before Blake top-edged to sub Grant Stephens. With the off-spin of Priestman claiming two quick wickets, Beckenham & Sydenham were looking groggy at 88-4. Isles, meanwhile, was holding firm and looked to be in sight of another 50 when he was bowled on 49 by his opposite number first ball after the drinks break. Owen-Browne (15) and David Evans (12) dug in, but were unable to force the pace against the nagging Wells attack and, once separated, the home side sank without trace, with three wickets falling in one over to Jamie Baldwin's leg-spin. All of the Wells bowlers had impressive figures, but this was a below-par batting display from the home side, who will be hoping that their injury problems clear up quickly. Wells took a valuable 20 points from the encounter, made all the more impressive as it was achieved away from home - and are now occupying equal third spot in the Table as the TW Cricket Week approaches. 26/05/07 160 all out Bromley 201 for 9 wkts The Nevill TWCC lost by 41 runs TWCC I XI Wells again won the toss and sent Bromley in to bat under lowering skies, and in the hope of seam movement assisting the reduction of the 2006 Champions. In the event, Nadeem Shahid and Leo Taylor raced to 69-0 from 14 overs before Wells could regain the initiative. So well did the home attack then perform that the next 36 overs led to the capture of eight good wickets while just 84 runs were allowed, and the prospect of a low target loomed. Quentin Ferreira (3-30) and skipper Mark Smith (2-27 from 15 overs) strangled the batting effort with splendid use of the conditions, supported by a miserly spell from Min Patel (1-18), and Bromley looked at this point to be almost out of the game. Visiting Captain James Butterfill then rallied the lower order with a whirlwind not-out 31, and altogether saw to 48 runs coming from the last five overs which hoisted the total past the 200-mark as the overs ran out. The reply was in disarray at 22-3, as Matthew Dennington showed just how much movement could be extracted under gloomy skies. However, this merely served to highlight the merit of a fine rearguard rescue led by Ferreira, in partnership with Jamie Baldwin, as 78 hard-fought and vital runs were added in the face of some quite histrionic appealing and sledging. The partnership endured through 25 overs, and Ferreira reached an excellent, obdurate, and disciplined 50 from 83 balls. Baldwin also showed great character and solidity in gathering a supporting 21 runs, but the pair were dismissed during a four-wicket mini-collapse as Wells slid from 100-3 to 118-7, and in real danger of gaining no batting bonus points. Brough Cooper (31 with 2 4s and 2 6s) then looked to have saved the game in company with Simon Routh, while additionally keeping the victory targetted, but, with 6 overs to go, Bromley's versatile attack proved irresistable and the last three wickets went down in a flurry to bring about defeat by 41 runs. Cooper had the satisfaction of bringing up a batting point for Wells, but the feat of Ferreira in making 62 runs in the most trying circumstances and taking three wickets and a fine catch was altogether outstanding. Wells remain in the top four in the League Table, defeat notwithstanding, and will wish to follow through winning circumstances more completely in future encounters. 19/05/07 210 for 3 wkts Broadstairs 209 all out Broadstairs TWCC won by 7 wkts TWCC I XI Wells travelled to Thanet to meet newly-promoted Broadstairs, won another useful toss, and inserted the home side, with immediate results. Broadstairs stumbled to 36-3 as Oli Reynolds again turned in an awesome performance, snapping up 3-38 in 15 testing overs, whereupon the innings was given substance in two consecutive partnerships of 67, which took the total to 170-4. The principal force in this recovery was Scott Narraway (72 with 3 6s and 6 4s), but Wells then counter-attacked with such effect that the remainng six wickets were captured while just 39 runs were made, and two extra overs were secured for the reply. Narraway was assisted by Orlando Peters and Mike Capeling (45), but the rest of the effort was fitful indeed. Broadstairs fought back at once, removing David Else and skipper Mark Smith as the score dipped to 18-2 before Neil Dexter and Quentin Ferreira added 97 in good time to provide the chase with the required pace and certainty. Ferreira's dismissal was followed by Dexter and Jamie Baldwin knocking up an unbeaten 95 as Wells coasted to victory, with 16 overs unused. Dexter played remarkably well, stroking 16 fours and a six on his way to a not-out 107, while Baldwin gave him every support, coming in at the close undefeated on 34. The result propelled TWCC to third in the table, behind Blackheath and Bromley, last summer's Champions, and gives the 2007 campaign a sound basis from which to continue. 12/05/07 186 for 6 wkts Lordswood 229 for 7 wkts Martin Grove TWCC Losing Draw TWCC I XI Due to difficult blustery conditions, the game was reduced to a 90-over format, while a slight delay occurred as the wicket was allowed to dry out. Wells won a good toss and invited Lordswood to bat, and two fine spells from Oli Reynolds and Chris Lawrence saw to an indifferent start at 45-2 after 16 overs. A pedigree effort from Alan Pattenden (75) then brought about the recovery, and with Harminder Singh (59), runs began to flow at an alarming rate. With a full gale blowing down from one end of the wicket, the visitors' attack was blunted, and runs were easily scored as the bowlers struggled at that end. Wells prised back control nevertheless, as Neil Dexter (3-45) broke out the middle order, but not before a chancy 40 from 'Overseas' Khote had moved the total beyond 200. A smart piece of groundwork from Brough Cooper extinguished this interlude, and the home side attained the relative safety of 229-7 after the 45 overs had been completed. The reply featured a cultured knock from David Else (69), who, partnered by Dexter, saw to a steady opening partnership that took the score into the eighties. The pace was maintained with Else by Quentin Ferreira (42), and, despite the loss of two wickets, the visitors reached a point where a run-per-ball was required from the last twelve overs. Else was then caught on the boundary, having posted 76 with Ferreira, and three further wickets slowed down the tempo sufficiently to ensure the draw. Singh (3-61) bowled cleverly despite the conditions, and did much to thwart the chase. The seventh pair batted out the last three overs, however, and Wells went away with seven points from the encounter, Lordswood being unable to finish off the innings for a full win. 05/05/07 222 all out Gore Court 143 all out The Nevill TWCC won by 79 runs TWCC I XI Wells won the toss and batted, Jamie Baldwin and skipper Mark Smith adding 54 for the second wicket to pull away after the early loss of David Else, 2006’s star batsman. Quentin Ferreira fell soon after Baldwin was dismissed, but any thought of collapse was dispelled as Smith and debutant Daniel Thirkell (40) shared a vigorous and stylish stand of 95. Smith’s excellent early season form had brought him six fours in an outstanding half-century, and now Brough Cooper clattered a vibrant 21, as the fourth batting point hove into sight. Gore Court, however, fought back with telling effect at this stage, and Wells’ tail fell away in subsiding to 222 all out with a couple of overs unused. In all, six wickets were lost as the final 33 runs were acquired. Smith’s controlling and fluent 74 was the highlight of the innings, while Thirkell’s first Premier Division knock was just as important in view of later events. The reply began on a high note with the first two balls being slapped unceremoniously to the fence, but an excellent spell of accurate seam bowling from Oli Reynolds (3-27) prevented the chase from progressing as the score was hauled back to 59-3 after 20 overs. The supporting attack had shared out the spoils before the match was turned, as Baldwin (4-30) erased the middle order with attacking leg-spin, claiming skipper Martin McCague first ball. The innings had been fatally transformed at 107-7, but Chris Piesley prolonged matters with a fighting 32 before Reynolds returned to uproot the last man’s stumps, and clinch a 79-run bat-first win and the full 20 points. The 2007 campaign began thus on the highest possible note for Wells. 21/04/07 221 for 2 wkts Hastings 220 for 6 wkts The Nevill TWCC won by 8 wkts TWCC I XI Hastings elected to bat in hot sunshine at The Nevill, but were rocked back as Rob Sharma removed both openers to reduce the innings to 3-2. Recovery came as Bradley Smith (50) and James Chaplain (91) carefully wore down the home attack, but further inroads chipped away at the batting effort, and the 45 overs yielded 220-6. The home attack also featured Oli Rynolds (2-28). Wells' reply suffered a serious early setback, but skipper Mark Smith and opener Jamie Baldwin (45) put together a 164-ball stand of 141 which put the result beyond doubt. Smith, acrobatically missed on 48, moved serenely to an unbeaten 64, whilst the closing stages were enlivened by Quentin Ferriera, who despatched 4 fours and 4 sixes in notching a 37-ball unbeaten 58. The victory came with 7 overs in hand, assisted by an inglorious 52 extras (36 wides). Of great interest was the appearance of Simon Routh (1980-2007) who played in what is thought to be his 600th game for TWCC ~ a most notable achievement.