Saturday Third XI Results 2007 Date TW Score Opposition Score Venue Result Team 08/09/07 203 for 7 wkts Dartford 199 for 9 wkts Upper Nevill TWCC won by 3 wkts TWCC III XI With a huge sigh of relief, as well as a considerable sense of satisfaction, the Wells’ 3rd team brought their season to an end with a tremendous win, which guaranteed their safety in the division for next year. Having been promoted only last year, it was very important to consolidate that position, and to ensure that the rich seam of young talent within the Wells set-up finds an outlet at the highest standard possible. Further success next season would see the club with its top three sides all playing in the Kent League, and that is well within the bounds of possibility. Saturday’s win against Dartford was achieved on a sluggish wicket by hostile and disciplined bowling. Ben Entacott continued his welcome return to the game with 1-37 from 11 pacy overs, Chris Williams continued his rapid development with 1-14 from 9, while Emmerson Wood and Graeme Corbishley were rewarded for steady aggression with three and two wickets respectively. Combined with two excellent run-outs, this effort kept a Dartford team - desperate for a win - to a score of 199-9. The Wells’ reply was built around an excellent third wicket partnership of 77 between Nick Chambers and James Sharp. Both kept the run-rate ticking over through sensible running and watchful defence on an unresponsive track, and by hitting the loose ball when it arrived. Sharp was eventually bowled for a valuable and patient 37, which allowed Ryan Mitchell in to join Chambers, his more experienced partner. Together, they put on 50 before Chambers unluckily played-on for a match-winning 66. There was still some excitement to come, however, as Williams, and his fellow 14 year-old, Wood, smashed eight 4s and a 6 between them to win the game and round off an ultimately successful season in appropriate style. Thus was the Great Escape completed, and the XI were able to maintain their status after many testing moments. 01/09/07 248 for 8 wkts Farningham 168 all out Upper Nevill TWCC won by 80 runs TWCC III XI Entertaining the Division 1a leaders, Farningham, at the upper Nevill Ground, TWCC lost the toss and were invited to bat. Against a pacy and accurate attack that has conceded neither a personal half-century nor a combined total in excess of 200, the Wells faced a considerable challenge in a match they had to win to keep themselves out of the relegation zone. David Wells and Greg Brunger started solidly against bowling which gave nothing away. Brunger was soon trapped in front by paceman Wiles, but Gregor Paterson played confidently and he and Wells took the total to 47 when Wells was yorked for 27. Nick Chambers was immediately into his stride, taking the initiative away from an attack not used to resistance with some strong driving of anything loose. With Paterson busily rotating the strike, the pair put on a valuable 92 for the 3rd wicket before Paterson was caught trying to force the pace for an impressive 40. Ben Allatt came in, and, although struggling to capture his earlier form, still helped Chambers in an important partnership of 73. At 212–4, the Wells were handily placed, but still short of a total that would put real pressure on an opposition that had won their last 10 games. Chambers had guided the innings with flair, scoring 10 fours and 2 sixes, while never forgetting to challenge the fielders with well-taken singles which drained their spirit. Unfortunately, they also sapped his own energy, and, after reaching a thoroughly well-deserved century, Chambers was caught out for 100. It only remained for Mark Thompson to clatter an invaluable 15 in his own forceful manner, and the Wells ended up with a challenging 248-8. In the substantial form of the returning Ben Entacott, the Wells had a bowler of considerable pace themselves, and that was immediately obvious when some fortunate edges raced to the short boundaries. However, belying the fact that he had not played for over two years, Entacott soon slipped into an easy and powerful rhythm. Thompson was as incisive as ever, and Farningham were off to a poor start at 30-2. Graeme Corbishley relieved Entacott and was just as effective, sending down 12 overs in two spells and taking 3-34, his wickets all being either bowled or leg before wicket. At 66-5, Farningham were in uncharted territory, and staring at defeat, but James Wiles started rebuilding by chancing his arm against the Wells’ confident attack. Some uncharacteristic dropped chances helped his cause, and he reached 50 with some big shots. Two partnerships of 40 kept the visitors moving forward, but further menace from Entacott (4-14 from 9.4 overs) cut straight to the opposition’s heart and they were bowled out for 168 with more than 3 overs remaining. This was an achievement of real substance and character by the Wells who, by beating the top-of-the-table side, have given themselves a better than even chance of avoiding relegation, and of consolidating for next season. 25/08/07 133 for 8 wkts Bickley Park 137 for 6 wkts Upper Nevill TWCC lost by 4 wkts TWCC III XI On a sunny afternoon, the start of this important match was delayed by nearly two hours due to the wet ground, and reduced to 35 overs per innings. When the game did eventually start, the Wells lost two quick wickets, but the middle order of Gregor Paterson, Ben Allatt and James Sharpe worked hard on a desperately slow wicket. These three wickets put together 80 runs, but no one was able to push on to make a commanding score, Paterson top-scoring with 30. The result was a disappointing 133 – 8, which was always going to be difficult to defend. Nevertheless, Mark Thompson, Emmerson Wood and Liam Flint bowled tightly, supported by the Wells’ youthful fielding. The first 10 overs yielded only 26 for the loss of one wicket, but then the Park pushed forward and doubled the score in the next 3 overs. Captain David Wells brought an element of experience and control to the effort, however, reeling off nine overs for only 15 runs and 2 wickets, while Tom Jenner, of the nationally successful Under 15 team, bowled well and captured a couple of wickets of his own. And so, with 5 overs remaining, the Park still required 31 to win. Unfortunately for the Wells, the experienced pairing of Wilson and Bala was equal to the challenge, and knocked off the runs with an over to spare. 18/08/07 203 for 5 wkts Roan & L 199 all out Upper Nevill TWCC won by 5 wkts TWCC III XI Wells put Roan in, but took some time in gaining the upper hand. The visitors moved to 112-3 (Ahmed Khan 45) before the home attack made itself felt, and the innings slipped to 158-8 as Percy Watts and Graeme Corbishley (5-48) overcame the resistance. Atif Khan (36) lifted the tail-end effort so successfully that the final wicket did not fall until the score reached 199. Corbishley added a sharpness to the Wells bowling that had misfired in earlier encounters. Pleasingly, there was no wastage in extras. The reply was everything that was required as David Wells and Greg Brunger (61) posted 87 before the former was dismissed. Elliott Hughes then played the anchor role as the chase homed in on the target, but some forgettable mishaps slowed the progress as the total wobbled at 141-4. Mark Thompson smacked some impressive runs with Hughes standing firm, and Wells passed the total set with five wickets in hand. Brunger claimed nine boundaries in his steadying knock, and saw the team thus push further away from the drop zone, with just three matches left to play out. Survival now seems to be a genuine probability . 11/08/07 187 all out Shooters Hill 189 for 9 wkts Upper Nevill TWCC lost by one wkt TWCC III XI The visitors arriving late forfeited the toss, and skipper David Wells (51) saw TWCC off to a fine start. 61 runs were added for the second wicket with 'BJ' Allatt, but Shooters Hill struck back to grab four wickets for 18 runs before James Sharp (42) and Mark Thompson (22) put on 63 for the sixth partnership. The innings subsided quietly to an all out 187, but, vitally, handed three overs to Shooters Hill in the chase. The reply started soundly, but two amazing catches (Paul Burley and Jan Ball) began the wicket-taking, as the innings slipped to 57-3. Paul Clemens (57) and Glyn Fortt (56) then pulled away in a fourth stand of 56, but Wells struck back to bring the chase down to earth on 148-8. Fortt was dismissed at 172, but a nerveless last pair knocked off the runs as the extra overs came into play. Again TWCC had only themselves to blame as 30 wides were gifted to their opponents, a luxury unaffordable in so tight a match. 04/08/07 316 for 1 wkt Bexley Park 177 for 6 wkts Bexley Park TWCC won by 139 runs TWCC III XI TWCC won the toss and batted on a track where shots could be played with care, yet whose lightning-fast outfield allowed full value for the shots essayed. Skipper David Wells and Gregor Paterson wore down the home attack in a dream partnership which posted 229 before Wells was dismissed for a matchwinning and dominant 135. The captain put his run-drought behind him as he notched seventeen fours and a six, and the fortunes of his XI were boosted as the pent-up frustration of the past weeks was blown away. The last sixty runs of Wells' century were made at a gallop, and, where he left off, Nick Chambers (44*) continued, the ever-watchful Paterson assisting as a further 97 runs were plundered before the overs ran out. Paterson reached a maiden century just before the end, and the innings closed on a mammoth 316-1, which represented better than a run-per-ball throughout the 46 overs. Such a target called for an aggressive response from the Bexley batsmen, but TWCC pegged away and captured wickets just frequently enough to thwart any thoughts of letting the game slip. Thus it was that the home effort could not take shape effectively nor completely defy the visitors' attack, so that TWCC were able to contain the chase yet without gathering in all of the wickets required for an all-out victory. Sam Constable (67) added to the run-fest, and ensured that his side would not be utterly humiliated, although the game ended with Bexley Park a long way short of the target, giving TW 19 points from the game. Still in the drop zone, the XI will now believe that they can escape given that their winning form has returned. 28/07/07 169 for 8 wkts Blackheath W. 166 all out Blackheath Wanderers TWCC won by 2 wkts TWCC III XI After a seemingly interminable wait of eight matches, the Wells’ 3rd XI at last remembered how to win, thanks mainly to an outstanding man-of-the-match performance from 14 years old Chris Williams. Chris followed up 10 searching overs of seam, taking 1-34, with a dominating, unbeaten innings of 60, as well as securing a direct hit run-out. After losing the toss and fielding, the Wells contained the home batsmen successfully, Mark Thompson bowling impressively with little luck. Emmerson Wood contributed five tidy overs, capturing Blackheath’s opening batsman, thanks to Liam Flint who held on to a steepling hit. Pressure increased with the introduction of Joe Becher’s slow left-arm spin, and his 12 overs yielded 2-39. His excellent control induced real anxiety in the batsmen and was a prime cause of the unusually high number of five run-outs. The Wells’ fielding was generally good, but there were some catches spilled that would have accelerated Blackheath’s downfall. Gregor Paterson also claimed a wicket, and Blackheath’s total of 166 all out was below par, but with the Wells batsmen being out of sorts recently, this was no foregone conclusion. And so it soon proved, David Wells falling to the vagaries of the wicket, and Becher and Elliott Hughes following quickly afterwards. Paterson got his head down, and, with Ryan Mitchell, started the repair process, Mitchell showing a measured response with careful defence and three towering sixes. However, three rapid dismissals in the middle order (82-6) did not bode well for a positive result for the Wells. Enter the juniors of the team, Tom Spurling and Williams, who together fought against an occasionally spiteful wicket, hitting the bad ball and running aggressively. After helping to add 37, Spurling made way for Thompson, last week’s sole batting success. Sadly, he was unable to recapture that form, and when another 14-year old, Flint, joined Williams, 41 runs were still required with only 7 overs and 2 wickets remaining. By this time, Williams, who had started with five sweetly timed boundaries, was now scoring from every ball, picking his gaps skilfully and calling some audacious singles. Blackheath’s frustration at their inability to dismiss these boys mounted, and Flint’s determination to match his partner did not ease their irritation. The next two overs yielded 19 runs and further excellent batting reduced the equation to 11 runs being needed from 3 overs. Blackheath’s veteran seamer, Edwards, had bowled with control and variation, but his last over was despatched for the necessary 11 runs by Flint, who finished unbeaten on 20, and by Williams, who pierced the tight offside field with another superb drive for a boundary to win the game with two overs to spare. Williams hit a six and 8 fours in his unbeaten 60, a match-winnings innings of considerable class and maturity much appreciated by his more experienced team-mates. 21/07/07 128 all out Shooters Hill 231 for 9 wkts Waller Park TWCC lost by 103 runs TWCC III XI The home XI won the toss and batted, and, despite two early wickets falling, eased away as the middle order played around opener Glyn Fortt's 46, John Garrett blasting a quickfire 55. Shooters Hill passed 200 with five wickets down, but Percy Watts (3-38) ensured no runaway total was posted, despite several of the attack having proved expensive. The target was again over 200, yet not unattainable on such a track. Wells' reply was dismal, however, and quickly had tottered to 54-7, with the cream of the line-up already removed. Bowlers Mark Thompson and James Nethercott then changed the complexion of the innings in a fighting - and III XI Club record - eighth partnership of 73, which at least mitigated a heavy defeat. Thompson notched a hard-hit 50 while Nethercott gave staunch support, but, with one batsman unable to bat, the innings closed soon after the stand was broken. Again, some twelve overs remained unused in the chase. 14/07/07 139 all out Farningham 245 for 6 wkts Farningham TWCC lost by 106 runs TWCC III XI Losing the toss on a fast track, which looked likely to dust up later, Wells conceded 53 runs from the opening twelve overs, before James Nethercott and Jan Ball brought some control back to the visitors. Opener Darren Blake – badly missed early on – carried his bat for an undefeated 91, around which his colleagues gave support, most notably Hadleigh Wiles (74), with whom 101 runs were added for the third wicket. Mark Thompson and BJ Allatt chimed in with a brace of wickets apiece, but 49 runs were crashed in the final six overs, leaving a target of 246 for victory. Such a wicket allowed the notion of a hearty chase, but Wells failed to apply themselves in the face of the home attack, and wickets fell at regular intervals without anyone anchoring the effort or offering more than token resistance. 86-4 became 139 all out as the track became two-paced, and almost ten overs remained unused as the innings petered out into a long defeat by 106 runs. Several TWCC batsmen suggested permanency up the order, yet were undone by self-inflicted error or keen bowling. Undoubtedly, home advantage played a part in the overturning of the Wells line-up, but the lightning-fast outfield offered at least the opportunity for quick scoring. The half-forgotten blueprint for victory includes the setting of a powerful target total, followed by a clinical dismantling of the opposition batting – the turn-around may well be just a match away, while at present the XI languishes just above bottom place in the Table. 07/07/07 51 all out RASRA 129 all out Crofton Albion TWCC lost by 78 runs TWCC III XI Fielding first in unaccustomed warm sunshine, and having missed the previous game owing to rain, Tunbridge Wells 3rd team managed to display the discipline and consistency that has been lacking in many performances so far this damp season. Chris Williams bowled three maidens in his five overs, and his opening partner, Mark Thompson bowled with pace and penetration in spite of feeling under the weather. After ten overs, RASRA’s opening pair was still together but had scored only 23, and pressure was building. Ben Allatt put in an excellent spell of 2 – 21 from 11 overs, bowling good lines at a decent pace. At the other end Jan Ball, in his first game of the season, soon found the swing that makes his bowling a challenge for the batsman. Moving the ball both ways in the air, he took 3 wickets and beat the bat on any number of occasions. The Wells supported the bowlers with keen fielding and excellent catching, and Mitchell, Watts and Thompson finished off the RASRA innings for an unimpressive 128. Unfortunately, the Wells’ batting could not equal the efforts of the bowlers. The home side extracted considerable venom from their own wicket, and both openers were gone with the score at 18. Sharpe got a big off-cutter that took middle stump and Wells top-edged a lifter into his face, and with the entire wicket to choose from, managed to fall on his stumps. Allatt and Mitchell attempted to make sense of the vagaries of the deteriorating track, but both perished to ambitious shots. Banton and Thomas bowled with skill and accuracy to extract the most from the conditions and the Wells’ later young batsmen were unequipped to deal with them. Disappointingly, Tunbridge Wells had again managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of a potential victory, struggling to their smallest total for many a game. 23/06/07 182 all out Bickley Park 204 for 7 wkts UCH Chislehurst TWCC lost by 22 runs TWCC III XI The home side won the toss and batted, but had to thank number three Samit Sunderesan, who anchored the innings in a shrewd effort which took the score to 167-7 at the time of his dismissal. Sunderesan hit nine fours in his 64, but the honours were taken by Ben Allatt (3-31) as the attack fought back to control the push for runs. Unfortunately, extras again played a part in the mini-recovery from this point, and the eighth pair posted a further 37 in the final few overs without being separated, and Wells were left to make 205 for victory. The reply was soundly based, with 46 added for the opening partnership, and steady batting put the visitors in sight of a very fine victory. Allatt further distinguished himself with a top-scoring 67 (12 fours) and, with solid support, saw the score to 179-5 with only a few overs remaining. It looked all over at this point for the Park, but the Wells' late order was weakened by the absence of Percy Watts (fractured finger while fielding) and when Allatt was dismissed at this score, the home attack took the remaining four wickets for three runs to snatch an improbable win by a mere 22 runs. Christopher Hewitt (4-43) played his part in this collapse, as did two vital run-outs. Thus it was that the Third XI contrived frustratingly to come second in yet another closely contested match, but the omens are good providing that the side commits fully to the quest for victory. The team remain just outside of the relegation zone, and are surely set to rise above the position which they presently occupy. 16/06/07 169 all out Dartfordians 171 for 8 wkts Upper Nevill TWCC lost by 2 wkts TWCC III XI Batting first, Wells lost their skipper early and stumbled to 5-2 before James and Elliott Hughes (not related) stabilised the effort in a doughty partnership that pushed the score into the fifties. Dartfordians, true to form, exposed a frail middle order and reduced the home innings to 75-5 before Ryan Mitchell (56) rallied the tail to such effect that the total was more than doubled, albeit that seven overs remained unused at the fall of the final wicket. Set 170 to win, the visitors fared even worse at the outset, falling to 54-6, generating a real sense that the previous week's lessons had been learned well. Sadly, this was not to be as, once again, extras were allowed to total 48, with as many as 31 wides. Unnececssary overthrows also contributed, and suddenly Dartfordians were left with a chance to snatch victory. Number nine Kevin Cullern (51 not out) sent the ball about the Upper Ground, and, virtually single-handed, fashioned an unlikely two-wicket win with several overs in hand. Wells' discipline during the chase was found lacking in the later stages, and overshadowed an otherwise creditable performance, which, for the mostpart, had the Leaders on the ropes. 09/06/07 150 all out Dartfordians 214 for 7 wkts Dartford TWCC lost by 64 runs TWCC III XI Tunbridge Wells 3rd XI travelled to Dartfordians' home rugby ground and found a surface apparently more suited to the oval ball. After losing the toss, the Wells' bowling then proceeded to aim more for the corner flag than the posts, with wides outscoring the batsmen for a while. However, Thompson (1-32) and Emmerson Wood (2-38) managed to regain some control over the leading side in the division. After the opening pair had been separated with the score in the fifties, Percy Watts started to induce caution among the middle order. Firstly, he removed the day's top scorer, Ellis, for 45, and followed this with a successful LBW shout to earn figures of 2-46 in twelve overs. Not a bad return on his 16th birthday... The Wells fielded with customary sharpness and although never able to subdue Dartfordians, the final score of 214 included no less than 57 extras. Tunbridge Wells started positively with James Sharp batting freely. David Wells' departure for 25 allowed Ben Allatt to continue his rich vein of form. After Sharp was dismissed for 25, Elliott Hughes joined Allatt in a productive partnership, but both perished in their thirties to the vagaries of the wicket. The remaining batsmen found the pressure exerted by the home side's bowlers sufficient to cause their downfall, and Wells were all out for 150, some 64 runs short of the target. When viewed in the context of the extras conceded, there are obvious areas for the side to work on in order to succeed in the second half of the season. 26/05/07 152 for 3 wkts Bexley Park 153 for 4 wkts Upper Nevill TWCC lost by 6 wkts TWCC III XI Tunbridge Wells’ 3rd XI hosted Bexley Park for the first time on Saturday. Unfortunately, novelty was probably the only excuse the visitors had for arriving nearly an hour late, resulting in a match of only 76 overs. The Wells batted first and were made to work very hard against an experienced attack. Constable and Gosine used the conditions well, using swing and seam, and when the first wicket fell (David Wells 22), 40 runs had taken 16 overs. Liam Flint and James Hughes struggled to accelerate, and it was not until Elliott Hughes and James Sharp came together that any kind of control was wrested from the opposition. Sharp hit 11 powerful boundaries and with Hughes running aggressively between the wickets, the pair put on 85 in the last 12 overs. 152–3 in 38 was at least competitive, but was a reflection of the discipline of the Bexley attack. The Wells needed to show similar discipline if they were to restrict a much more experienced side. Try as they might, they were unable to produce that ,and Bexley Park were able to run up their first fifty after only 9 overs. Percy Watts, who is having an excellent season, made the powerful openers think more than twice, and first Chris Williams and then Emmerson Wood bowled intelligently, each taking important wickets. However, by this time Bexley were nearly three-quarters of the way home, and despite keen ground fielding, always seemed to have the upper hand. Four late wickets and a chastening experience were scant reward for a young 3rd XI who tried hard but were outplayed. 19/05/07 155 all out RASRA 149 all out Upper Nevill TWCC won by 6 runs TWCC III XI The Eagles repeated their late arrival of 2006, thus forfeiting the toss, and skipper Wells batted first with mixed results. A low-slow bounce brought the visitors 5 wickets as the score crept to 52, but some stout defiance from Ben (BJ) Allatt (47) shored up the effort. Alone in securing the early innings, Allatt hit 7 fours and scored at better than a run-per-ball, but his dismissal came as Wells slumped to 87-8 after 20 overs. The need to play out the reduced 41-over span was taken up in a doughty ninth stand of 65 between debutant Ashley Wood (47) and Christian Dell (19), Wood showing particular severity in slamming 6 fours and 2 sixes. Nonetheless, the innings completed after just 32 overs, setting RASRA 156 for victory. The response began uncertainly as Ryan Mitchell reduced the chase to 17-2, but Keneke Campbell (51) made matters simple as he saw the score up to 87-2 in partnership with Beache (snr). All seemed a formality, and 28 wides plus numerous other extras did little to let the home side back in. Suddenly the picture changed, however, Mitchell going on to dig out the middle order as he picked up 5-43 in 12 splendid overs, and the Eagles subsided to 121-6 with overs to spare, yet a panic had set in, and the Wells attack seemed to take on a deadly appearance. Despite moments of belligerence from the tailenders, youngsters Percy Watts (2-36) and Chris Williams (1 wicket and one run-out) accounted for the remaining batsmen, Allatt and Wood (A) taking the final two catches, and thus was an improbable victory clinched by just 6 runs. This was a highly satisfying outcome, following the close defeat of the previous week. 12/05/07 158 for 7 wkts Roan & L 166 all out J.Roan School TWCC lost by 8 runs TWCC III XI In the 3rd XI encounter against Roan & Lambethans on Saturday, the opposition batted first on a rain-affected wicket in a match that was curtailed to 40 overs each. Against a side who finished second in this division last season, Mark Thompson and Lawrence Taylor bowled with aggression and with two early successes. Short balls were, however, easily dealt with, and, by the halfway stage, Roan had scored 102-3 at a rate of 5 per over. Thereafter, the Wells rallied to good effect, so much so that only 64 were scored from the latter 20 overs. Percy Watts achieved the remarkable figures of 3-37 from 10 overs, bowling legspin into a buffeting wind with a damp ball, and Thompson was his incisive self returning 3-39. Newcomers Ryan Mitchell and Frank Ormsby also contributed to the effort, leaving the Wells a target of just over 4 an over. Losing skipper David Wells to an early skyer did not help the chase, which became tougher after Ben Allatt was run out for a promising 12. Liam Flint and Elliott Hughes struggled against tight and accurate bowling which exploited the pitch's vagaries, and, with 20 overs remaining, 108 runs were still required. Mitchell played a positive innings of 22 in unfamiliar conditions, but when he was out, and Hughes departed for 23, 67 runs were needed from 7 overs. Against this daunting target, Callum Wood and Ormsby ran at every opportunity, turning singles into twos when they could, and reaching 126, with 40 required from 4 overs. When Ormsby was out for a forthright 26, all looked lost and Michael Barber's unfortunate dismissal brought Thompson to the wicket. Even his strong hitting (14 from 4 balls) could not prevent the ultimate frustration of finishing just 8 runs short of the target. However, a side including many of the Wells' talented schoolboys will have learnt much from this match against more mature opponents, and 14 points will not have too much adverse of an affect on the march towards the top of the division. 05/05/07 256 for 5 wkts Dartford III 247 for 7 wkts Waller Park TWCC won by 9 runs TWCC III XI Newly promoted Tunbridge Well 3rd XI travelled to Darenth for their first encounter in Division 1a against Dartford 3rds. Inserted on a cold afternoon, Skipper David Wells and James Sharp survived an early scare to build a respectable opening partnership. After Sharp had departed for 19, Ben Allatt joined Wells and together a positive understanding led to well-taken runs and some powerful boundaries. Wells was bowled for 55, but Allatt continued, with hard-hit strokes all round the ground, before picking out a fielder on the rope, departing for 67. Elliott Hughes kept up the momentum with sharp singles and clever placements, and was joined by Liam Flint, who immediately showed a class and maturity that belies his 14 years. Hughes' useful knock was terminated at 37, but Flint played some excellent shots to finish unbeaten on 42. Newcomer Mike Barber helped to add some vital runs at the end, and The Thirds finished their 46 overs on 256, with 5 wickets down. A useful first effort of the season, but, given the fast outfield, it represented no more than a par score for the ground. This was brought into dramatic relief when, despite probing bowling from Mark Thompson and Lawrence Taylor, the Dartford opening partnership was assisted to the half century by over 30 extras, mainly wides! Useful supporting spells from James Emmett and Sharp kept some control, and, despite aggressive intent from Dartford, they were always facing a target of over a run-per-ball. Percy Watts, a young leg-break bowler, wheeled away with control and courage against more experienced players, and returned 2 good wickets for 72 runs in his 12 overs, testing all the home batsmen on their own wicket. He was supported by a (generally) young fielding side that spared no effort on a bumpy outfield, throwing body behind the ball and chasing everything. Requiring 76 from the last 10 overs, and with 7 wickets in hand, Dartford might have felt hopeful, but any expectations were dashed by good catches from Taylor and Thompson, who both also bowled tight overs at the 'death' to leave the home side nine runs short of their target. A well-fought and deserved win for the Wells in the higher division thereby was achieved.