The availability nightmare continued for Wells, who, in the end, conceded just too many runs to a side desperate to avoid the drop, and they themselves return to the Feeder League for 2010, again mirroring the fate of TW III, in less happy circumstances, for a second year running.

   The Bromley top order elected to bat on the Upper Nevill, and relished conditions as they compiled a steady 107 for the opening stand. Danny Turano (48) and Simon Lynch (40), with support from Lewis Dicker (35), took the score up to 156 for 2 from 33 overs before Wells struck back meaningfully. Steve Green (4-51) and Chad Bryce-Borthwick (3-51) wore down the lower order, and with David Wells (2-39) having removed numbers 3 and 4, the total was reined back to 191-6 in the following few overs. Some late resistance from the tail produced an important flurry of scoring, so that Wells were left to make 263 to win as the overs came to an end.

   The reply was at once rocked by an incisive spell from skipper Graham Neilly (5-24) and subsided to a dismal 84-6 despite the doughty skill of Barney Shaw, who played a lone hand until assistance came from Andy Wood (23) at number eight in the list. The seventh partnership produced 39 runs to slow the Bromley progress, but the long vigil of Shaw (76) ended at this point, and Wells then tumbled headlong to defeat and relegation as the innings came to an end 107 runs in arrears. The result ensured safety by just four points for Bromley Town, and the task of re-grouping now begins for Wells in earnest as they plan for a return to KL Status in 2010.

   Put in to bat at The Rectory Field, Wells were unable to make headway, and steadily lost wickets as the opening twelve overs saw the score move to 44-3.

   The first blows were struck by James Bradford (3-41), but the middle order were nonplussed by Neil Errington, who scythed through the remaining batsmen on his way to collecting 6-28 from 13.3 overs. Some late resistance from Ed Fyson and Steve Green somewhat improved matters, but the final total of 85 all out, from 27.3 overs, was hardly what the skipper had bargained for. Hugo Blamey topscored with 14 at the top of the list, such was the dominance of the home attack on the day.

   The chase was initially unconvincing as Wells fought back to reduce the reply to 55-2, and hope briefly flickered of a surprise turnabout. Graham Stone, however, remained firm through the danger period, and, although dismissed at 82, his 41 paved the way for a straightforward victory by seven wickets. Wells took a single point from the encounter, but go to the final match three points clear of the dropzone, but will play bottom-of-the table Bromley Town. A win on the Upper Ground would provide the safety of KL survival, and would be a deserved outcome in what has been a very difficult campaign. 

   The Upper Nevill produced many runs on the day, such was the nature of the wicket, and life was made difficult for bowlers throughout the match, played out in sapping heat.

   Wells won the toss and batted, and David Wells rolled back the years as he compiled a splendid and cultured century, carrying his bat for an undefeated 137 (18 fours and 1 six) in a real captain's effort. Callum Wood (40) assisted as the opening partnership added 114 from 26 overs, and then an overpowering second stand took the game away from the visitors. Tom Spurling (82) crashed 13 fours and two sixes as 147 runs were added in sixteen overs, and Wells himself was no less severe on the labouring attack in this passage of play. The final few overs saw the total pass the 300-mark, and Farningham were set a mammoth target for victory.

   The reply was sedate, but wickets still had to be prised out. A determined knock from captain Martyn England (65*) ensured that Farningham would not suffer outright defeat, and sufficient resistance down the list secured the draw as the overs ran out. Wells managed to capture four wickets during the innings, but the track allowed the home attack few opportunities, while the batsmen were able to defend safely for lengthy spells. Having prevented any batting attempt to seek victory, Wells could not themselves gather further wickets, and the game petered out into a tame draw. The home side took eleven points from the encounter, and moved up one place in the table, ever closer to safety.

   Wells fielded first, and enjoyed early success as Ben Watts broke through to reduce the RACS lineup to 38-3 and the promise of a short target.

   The visitors pulled away gradually, however, as Steve Gibbons (72) anchored the recovery while Mayank Patel (79) blitzed the tiring attack, lashing seven fours and four sixes as the score mounted to 200-5. Several chances were put down in this phase of the game, but Watts returned for a second spell to restrict the runrate while grabbing a praiseworthy and hardworking 6-76 from his thirteen overs. Nick Sharp (2-36) assisted in the closing stages, and, after the 50 overs, Wells were left with 268 to make for victory. James Hagger and Nick Manser held excellent boundary catches in a mixed groundwork display.

   The reply was in tatters at 19-3, with one retired hurt and one other gone lame, but Tom Dowding came to the rescue for Wells, supported by skipper Dave Thomas as a recovery was put in place. For a while, the draw at least seemed possible, but RACS worked through the order, with Luke Meadowcroft picking up 4-48 as the innings slowly subsided. Dowding was playing remarkably freely throughout this time, and outscoring his partners, and had moved into the seventies when last man Matt Green joined him at 141-9. This final pairing added 37 runs in 48 balls, and Green allowed his young partner to race through the nineties and on to a noble maiden century before the innings was completed. Dowding was last out for a memorable 107 (19 fours and 2 sixes) as Wells slipped to defeat. David Pinkstone returned after injury to blast a quickfire dozen, but generally the batting failed to supplement the lone centurion.

   The points gathered in defeat were sufficient to draw the XI out of the relegation places.

   Wye batted first after winning the toss, but, as frequently happens, lost two wickets smartly as the Wells attack wheeled away manfully.

   The third stand of 133 between David Jukes (68) and Robert Banks (86) vindicated the bat-first decision, although several chances were spurned during the 26-over partnership, yet the visitors fought back strongly. Will Soutar grabbed three wickets for one run as five men were sent back while just seven runs were added, and a reasonable target seemed to be in prospect. The final ten overs dashed such hopes, however, as all-rounder Phil Wise (47*) and Ian Lewis (30*) clattered an undefeated 91 in the closing phase to set up a daunting score of 279 to chase. Soutar deservedly came away with 4-53 from 13 overs, and James Nethercott picked up 3-79 in addition.

   The Wells reply was solidly founded as David Pinkstone (58) and Paddy Fyson (40) put together 85 for the opening stand, but a highpoint of 98-1 was effectively squandered as Wise (7-42) removed the vaunted middle order with scarcely the resistance required. Ben Watts and Soutar tried to stem the tide, but from 118-6 there was no way back, and the innings slipped away to 151 all out and a heavy defeat by 128 runs.

   The effect of the result was to put the side back into the dropzone, and they will need to claw their way back to ensure survival in the final few matches.

   Wells lost the toss, and watched the home side post a daunting target total, notwithstanding two excellent spells of bowling from Chad Bryce-Borthwick and Tom Jenner (2-33) at the outset and close of the innings.

   Skipper Stephen Wilkes (83 from 113 balls) was the lynchpin, seeing his side up to 194-6 after 39 overs, and chief support was provided by Nick Welte with a fluent 56-ball 54 as 111 runs came for the fourth partnership. The balance of the attack was treated with some disdain during this period, although the final ten overs were held to just 58 runs, while Nick Sharp came away with 3-55 and Bryce-Borthwick 1-35.

   The reply was well-founded as David Wells and Barnie Shaw posted a steady 45 for the opening stand, but wickets began to fall with some regularity, despite a fine 41 from Nick Manser. Jenner helped him to add 39 for the sixth wicket, but the home attack proved too much for many batsmen, Sam Dalton snapping up a decisive 5-24 in a nine-over stint. The end came with some five overs unused, and Bexleyheath wrapped up a 92-run win, which, curiously, left Wells unchanged in seventh place in the table, two away from the dropzone.

   Winning the toss and batting, Wells lost two early wickets before Nick Beck (36) played his customary stabilising knock, given splendid assistance from Michael Churchill (42), with the result that a platform was created at 111-3 after 26 overs. Skipper David Thomas (35) then set about the Offham attack, a process that was continued by Chad Bryce-Borthwick, in partnership with Tom Jenner, with an unbroken seventh stand of 96 coming from the latter pair in just nine overs. Bryce-Borthwick sailed on to an unbeaten 66 (5 fours and 3 sixes), his maiden League fifty, following a near miss against Bexleyheath, while Jenner chimed in with a not out 34 (four fours). The immaculate track meant that runs were the major issue, and Wells posted a challenging 262-6 as the overs ran out.

   The chase followed the pattern with two wickets falling as the score rose to 48, but the game was changed when Philip Heine (77) and Martin Goff pulled away in a remarkable partnership that saw 131 added in 20 overs, with as many boundaries hit as the duo rampaged along. At length, Churchill (3-58) was rewarded with the wicket of Heine, and two further wickets were snatched as the equation narrowed in the closing stages. Goff, however, rose to the occasion, and went to his century despite the tumble of wickets around him, finally lashing a six to bring up the win with 27 balls to spare. The Wells attack had done all that they could to stem the flow, with great catches coming from Thomas, and a fine run-out and catch from Jenner, but the effort of Goff was the clincher, and a great game that saw 529 runs scored and only twelve men out, went to the visitors by four wickets.

   The XI are still handily placed in the table, notwithstanding the reverse on the day, and simply need to push on to retain their new KL status : the side are brimful of confidence, and will give the coming games their best shot as the campaign comes to its close.

   The recent run of encouraging results was brought to an abrupt halt as Wells failed to post a challenging total on a dubious surface at Frindsbury. The home bowling, led by Shahzad Raza, with 6-21, ripped out the middle batting, and set up the game for Frindsbury, who raced to an early victory in the familiar manner.

   All began well enough as Nick Beck (42) and James Hagger took the score to 53-0, but thereafter there was no recovery as wickets tumbled to indiscreet shots with minimal resistance. Beck has now scored 200 League runs for TWCC in five knocks spanning five years, with the estimable average of exactly 50, but his dismissal was the end of the progress, and Frindsbury put out the XI for 106, albeit batting one short, in a little more than 40 overs.

   The home response was to lash the Wells attack, which stuck to good lines, Michael Churchill (1-27) being exemplary. Tom Burt (51) undertook a kind of pinch-hitting role, and with Michael Evans, hit up 86 for the opening stand. The rest was a formality, and the defeat was inflicted after just 24.3 overs, notwithstanding a steady fielding back-up to the bowlers, who did not waver in their accuracy throughout.

   Although the result was a setback, the side remain clear of the relegation places, and will undoubtedly turn out better preformances in the run-in to the end of the campaign.

   The Bromley Town XI won the toss and chose to bowl on a helpful track which saw twenty wickets tumble while 224 runs were scored in just over seventy overs of play.

   The Wells innings gradually built a platform, arriving at 90-2 after 25 overs, led by a defensive knock from James Hagger (28) with reasonable support from the early order. The home attack then quickly broke through to grab three wickets as the total moved to 100, but Tom Jenner and Matt Stone (35) rebuilt the effort before another three wickets fell at 138. Stone saw the score up to 159 in a vital innings before Paul Jones (6-24) finished off matters in short order at 163.

   The wicket now suited the visiting attack so well that Bromley Town were unable to make even half of the required runs, Stone (4-24) turning in a versatile performance in company with skipper Steve Green (5-9) to overturn the reply for a paltry 71 all out in 26.2 overs. Just two home batsmen managed double figures, and the all-round work from Stone was a major factor as the 20 points were gathered in.

   The result pushed Wells up the table to the relative safety of fifth position in the list, and reflected the increased effort in recent weeks that the XI had been able to produce, a renewed self-belief being evident.

   Surprised to be put in on the Upper Nevill, the Wells XI enjoyed a run-spree which saw them top 300, with three individual half-centuries posted along the way.

   Some quickfire boundaries got the innings moving, but a sterling epic from Nick Beck (80) provided the basis for the daunting total, his dismissal at 232 after 39 overs having ensured safety. Makarand Malandkar wristily despatched the visiting attack for a decisive and rapid 75 (15 fours and 1 six) as 97 runs came for the third stand, and Beck added his own boundaries and a sweet straight six as the partnership flourished, but Gravesend broke back to snap up six wickets until Will Arthur found an ally in Steve Green. These two blasted a nine-over unbroken record 72 for the ninth stand which took the total to 316 as the overs ended, Arthur (54*) stroking six fours and three sixes to round off an excellent display.

   The chase was rocked by the early loss of two wickets to Matt Stone, returning from injury, but Wells had now to work hard to dislodge the middle order as the score was taken up to 116-4. Graham Stone (48) received assistance from Giagan Singh (35), while Jeff Allen held the lower batting together with a patient fifty. Jack Wood (3-37) and Steve Green (2-42) pegged away, but the equation narrowed and survival duly came despite a ring of fielders around the bat for the final overs. Just two wickets remained as time was called, but the winning draw kept the side clear of the relegation places, with every prospect of further improvement to come as the campaign reaches the halfway mark. 

   The Wells XI were put in to bat at Farningham, and responded powerfully in taking first knock, as Barney Shaw (38) and James Sharp set the foundation in a splendid opening partnership of 87.

   This domination was continued with a new record second stand between Sharp and Paddy Fyson (71), which added 118 runs and saw the score pass 200 as Fyson reached the boundary thirteen times. Sharp eventually departed for an invaluable 88 (ten fours), and the middle order then tried for quick runs to further strengthen the position, but Peter Sutton (4-72) restored some home pride and saw to a decline that brought about the loss of five wickets while 37 runs were scored. Ben Watts resisted this mini collapse with a stout undefeated 28, and put on 36 with Andy Wood to take the final score to 278-7 as the overs ran out.

   The home reply built steadily in bringing the score to 124-3, but the progress was somewhat laborious despite a fighting 58 from Philip Franklin. Quick wickets were now needed, and the Wells attack made headway, grabbing five wickets while 33 runs were made, but the escape was almost complete, and no further success was achieved. Steve Green (3-23) and Percy Watts (2-26) took the honours, but the ninth pair held on, and Wells were left with a winning draw which was enough to keep them clear of the dropzone.

   The continuing saga of Wells Fourth XI presented statisticians with much to ponder as a ten-man side rocked the RACS attack to the tune of 304 on a lightning-fast outfield with a much-used short boundary on one side.

   Winning the toss, Wells batted first without a second thought, and Callum Wood proceeded to play with remarkable freedom as he personally racked up the third-best score in The Division while crashing 20 fours and five sixes in a dazzling 160 made from 121 balls. James Hagger scored just a single in a third stand of 55, after Paddy Fyson and Wood had posted a twelve-over opening partnership of 68. The whirlwind effort then went up yet another gear as Makarand Malandkar (46) helped Wood post 118 in just thirteen overs, with wide, short and full bowling clinically despatched in complete certainty. Ten fours and four sixes were smashed in this spell, and the home groundwork visibly flagged in the face of the onslaught. As happens so often, both fell within a few balls of one another, and the remaining fourteen overs were something of an anti-climax, although 55 more runs were gathered as the remaining wickets were captured.

   The reply was understandably lower-key, and the Wells attack made steady inroads, with half of the side back in the pavilion and the score at 140. Ben Watts put in two notable stints to pick up 2-56, but the victory effort was stymied as ten catches were missed while the innings wore on. Hagger and Percy Watts worked well to apply the brakes when the chase pulled away, although the later order were to profit from chances not taken, and the RACS score finally reached the safety of an eight-down 257 as the overs ran out.

   The winning draw was a satisfactory outcome nonetheless, and the XI needs simply to keep focus on the victory bid when a position of strength is established. Much good came from the encounter, and the lowly League position should safely be retrieved as the campaign continues.

   In cloudy conditions after much rain, Wells won the toss and chose to bat, but the visiting bowlers possessed just the man for the pitch, Ian Lewis snapping up the first seven wickets to fall in a masterly exhibition of seam bowling.

   The home batsmen, after an early setback, tried to build a defendable total, reaching 51-3 from twelve overs, while Des Finn (23) took the score on into the seventies, but Lewis (7-44) was unstoppable, and the lower order were unable to capitalise on the earlier efforts. Andy Wood, on debut in the KL, managed some resistance, although the Wye bowlers soon wrapped up the tail, with Mark Shannon (3-36) picking up where Lewis had left off after his 15-over stint. The last wicket added an avenging 24 as Steve Green crashed several boundaries, Percy Watts again lending support, but the total of 120 after 35.4 overs was fatally under-par.

   The chase encountered difficulties as the table-bottom struggle moved to its conclusion, Wye sliding to 7-2 before the third pairing added 37, with William Elgar stabilising the batting. Wells grabbed another wicket at 72, Wood picking up 3-29, but Elgar moved calmly to a not-out 50 (7 fours and a six) and the victory was achieved without further loss.

   The result had the effect of pushing Wells back into the relegation places, and more hard work lies ahead.

   Travelling to the picture-postcard Rodmersham Ground (our own Tim Luckhurst started his career here), Wells had a gruelling time in the field, but showed great spirit and not a little resistance in claiming a draw with a decent points haul.

   The home side won the toss and batted in near-perfect conditions, yet the makeshift TW attack had kept them to 121-4 after 22 overs which briefly aroused hopes of a comfortable target total to chase. Eventually Sam Blackwell (56) and skipper Kevin Beacon made real headway, while the four-man bowling crew toiled on resolutely against the odds. The scoring pace was increased with the seventh stand producing 52 runs, and Beacon timed his effort to a nicety as he reached three figures just before the overs were completed. Percy Watts and Steve Green shared thirty valiant overs, deservedly collecting 4-75 and 3-72 respectively, and a final total of 304 was set for victory.

   The reply reached the halfway stage with a creditworthy 117-4, all of the early order making a start, and, young and not so young, all prospered long enough to help to deny the home side the full twenty points. Paddy Fyson and Kevin Watts, the latter on debut, showed admirable defiance as the escape continued, Watts going on to carry out his bat for a splendid undefeated 30. Ed Fyson (31) helped to add 43 for the eighth partnership with Watts, and, the draw was achieved shortly after as the fourth batting point was attained. The result enabled Wells to lift themselves out of the relegation zone, and demonstrated a resounding esprit as a heavy defeat was successfully averted.

   Winning the toss and batting, Wells went a long way to reversing their fortunes as they posted a sizeable total on The Upper Nevill Ground.

   Building upon a pugnacious 56 from Callum Wood, the top order reached a comfortable 143-2 after 25 overs, providing the platform for a later assault to consolidate the early success. Bexleyheath struck back with three quick wickets, however, and it fell to Chad Bryce Borthwick (49) to rally the later batting, unluckily falling one short of a maiden half-century on his League debut. The tail-enders gave him measured support despite further wickets falling, and a target of 256 was set at the end of the 50 overs.

   The visitors' reply was quickly in disarray as Matt Green (3-4) removed the first three in his opening two overs, yet the middle order was rescued by a battling innings from Jake Kendall (78), who received notable support from David Patton (32) in a fifth partnership of 54. Once the breakthrough was achieved, the Wells attack moved in for the kill, skipper Steve Green (3-19) and Chris Williams tidying up the lower batsmen, with the outcome that the innings was all over at 179, netting Wells a 20-point win by 76 runs with some ten overs in hand. Thus a move away from the bottom of the table had been successfully completed.

   Travelling in hope rather than expectation to Maidstone, the Fourth string managed a tenth player at the last minute, and lost the toss on the small Offham Ground.

   The home openers gradually wore down the makeshift attack, and constructed worthy half-centuries as the first partnership racked up an ominous 145 from 28 overs. Gary Evans (71) was first to depart, very well caught by David Green from an over-the-shoulder skyer, and Wells then enjoyed some reward as a second wicket fell almost at once. The prospect of a 300+ total was thwarted by the tight lines adopted, although the middle order nonetheless made untroubled headway, with Nigel Stoodley and Duncan Brooker accelerating in the final ten overs. Peter Mcgonigle (61), the other opener, saw his side up to the double-hundred in a pathfinding knock that laid the basis of the daunting target total, but the Green trio and Andrew Townsend performed nobly in holding back the onslaught, and the visitors were left to make 269 for victory.

   The reply tottered to 15-4, but Townsend stood firm, and a recovery was fashioned as D.Green and M.Green offered stout resistance that prolonged the effort. Townsend reached a pedigree 72 out of 112-7, with 15 fours, after 34 overs, but his dismissal heralded the end, and Wells slumped to a heavy defeat without dishonour, having played out the fixture while notably understrength.

   Playing at their 'home' pitch 18 miles distant, David Thomas's Fourth XI saw visitors Frindsbury win the toss and put Wells in to bat, with positive results on a fair track.

   The opening pair of Callum Wood and James Hagger posted 46 runs before the aggressive Wood departed, and the middle order battled capably to give Hagger useful support on his way to a pathfinding 45. Des Finn and Thomas himself made solid contributions, each finding and passing the boundary as the score was raised to 171-7 after 41 overs. The remaining five overs saw the cultured David Green and Mushie Khan slam a further 30 runs, despite the incursions of Mark Gracey (3-29), and Frindsbury were left to make 203 for victory at the close. 

   The reply was faced by several youthful protagonists, although much was asked of them as the visiting openers put together the best part of a hundred runs without being separated. Steve Green and Khan posed problems as the attack probed, yet Sam Gracey (53) and Peter Blackman were equal to all that was put before them. Thomas rang the changes, and several bowlers put in splendid spells, but only two wickets were to fall before the end came, Blackman carrying his bat for a vital matchwinning 87*. D.Green and Christian Dell were the wicket-takers, while praise was also due to Hagger in ten testing overs, and the youthful Will Clark, the groundwork being keen and competitive throughout. However, the lack of two genuine opening bowlers was sorely felt, and Frindsbury gave an object lesson in chasing down a strong target total. Much good for Wells nonetheless came from a losing encounter, and the XI will only improve as a result.