An extraordinary game came alive in the last few overs as Wells staved off almost certain defeat and all but turned the tables on a Bexley XI who had otherwise been coasting to victory.

   Wells won the toss and batted first on a fine surface for batsmen, and were given the perfect start as Harry Florry and Nigel Keess put up 93 for the first wicket in 26 overs. Florry (110) played a fluent and increasingly dominant innings that took him to a sumptuous century out of 180-3, and he stroked 16 boundaries in that time, mostly through the cover arc. Just seven overs remained in the hustle for points, and again up stepped Sam Watts (28*) to send the home score past the 200, with 13 coming from the final over to set Bexley 225 for victory. How important those extra runs would be was to become plain in the dying stages of a fine match.

   The chase suffered two immediate setbacks, but so well did Murtaza Abbas and Chris Pinnock play, that 104 runs came for the third stand, Pinnock at length falling for a memorable 54 (6 fours) as the platform was established to take Bexley to their target. Abbas now partnered David Pask (57) as 86 further runs came for the fourth partnership, and his excellently-paced 83 included 13 fours before Chris Fenwick returned to bowl him at 204-3 in the 46th over. Fenwick had already taken the two breakthrough wickets at the start of the innings, and he now produced a spell of 4-4 in 15 balls - all clean-bowled - to halt the hitherto inexorable progress of the batsmen. Keess removed Pask and the number seven at the other end, and Bexley had astonishingly lost six wickets for fourteen runs in 22 balls. However, the balance of Fenwick's last over was safely negotiated, and Wells emerged with a winning draw to end the season on a high note. Fenwick's eventual haul brought him 6-46 from thirteen overs.

   Neither side stood to gain much from the encounter, but the match itself was a great contest, and reflected very well upon both teams. Wells retained their fifth spot in the table, and Bexley held on to the fourth place, and, importantly, live to battle again in the Premier IIs Division for 2010. The game produced three half-centuries, one century and the extraordinary six-wicket tally at the end.

   Wells batted first at The Nevill, and opened up with a steady partnership for the first wicket as Gregor Paterson and skipper Harry Florry safely negotiated the early overs. Paterson's fluent 53 included eight fours, but he was adjudged lbw at 77, and the innings lost momentum with Bromley claiming two further wickets as the total rose to 106. The visiting attack now allowed only 16 runs in eight overs while two further batsmen departed, but Sam Watts single-handedly marshalled the recovery with a vibrant undefeated 41 from 54 balls to take the total up to 176-6 as the overs ran out. Three batting points were thus gained, but the unused batting showed the struggle that the middle order had experienced.

   Once again, Sadiq Hassan launched a fierce assault upon the home bowling, given sterling assistance from fellow-opener Stephen Bailes. Hassan crashed 74 with 11 fours and one six from just 49 balls before Nigel Keess broke through at 120-1, but Bailes, already on 40*, moved sedately on to his own half-century before Michael Churchill removed him at 153 for a well-deserved 57. Several chances were spurned in an untidy groundwork display from Wells, but the Bromley Machine was in unstoppable mode, and coasted to victory by eight wickets, with some sixteen overs in hand, to keep alive their title challenge.

   Wells did enough to remain safe at fifth spot in the table, with one match remaining to be played off before the campaign finishes on September 5. Their opponents at The Nevill will be Bexley II, who are one place ahead of them.

   Wells came up against a very strong Bickley XI, who are focussed upon a possible Championship Title, and were overwhelmed after conceding an above-par 275-6, when the closure was applied, thus allowing 54 overs for the runs to be obtained.

   The visiting attack had an early strike as Chris Fenwick removed Simon Melaniphy, but it was hard-going from this point onwards. Peter Dugmore resumed his liking for the Wells bowlers in amassing 102 out of 162-4, whereupon Julian Ramsay (79) took over as 112 runs were added with skipper Gordon Darroch (42) for the fifth partnership. Both were dismissed by Fenwick (3-42) at 274, and the innings was closed one run later having gone at virtually a run-per-ball for the full 46 overs.

   Wells attempted to reply in kind as Sam Stickler raced to 41 in no time at all, but the home attack was lying in wait and pounced with Richard Horner (7-47) spearheading the effort. The opening over saw the score slip to 4-2, then came Stickler's rampage, and next a steadying partnership of 39 between Tom Elliott (27) and Robert Sharma (35) for the fourth wicket. Once these two were separated, although Sharma offered prolonged resistance, Horner ripped through the lower order, and the hectic pace of it all quite took the breath away. The innings collapsed to 127 all out from just 26.2 overs, and the 20 points were clinically gathered in by Bickley as they head the table by 18 points.

   Wells have to play Bromley on the BH Monday, and could materially assist Bickley were they to beat third-placed Bromley.

   Wells took first knock at Plaistow Lane upon winning the toss, and made steady progress as Gregor Paterson (76) anchored the effort despite very keen bowling and groundwork from the home side.

   Paterson and Sam Stickler posted 44 for the opening stand in ten overs, but a couple of wickets at that point slowed progress. Rob Sharma (21) helped Paterson as 56 runs came for the third partnership in seventeen overs, while Brough Cooper and Caspian Paget also gave valuable support. Paterson's long vigil finally ended at 173-4, but only seven overs remained, and Bromley swept away the late order to leave the score on 202-9 as the innings came to a close. The late rush for runs saw five wickets tumble as 29 runs were gathered, but the important four-point target was narrowly attained.

   The reply was both majestic and brutal as the visiting attack was decimated en route to a ten-wicket defeat. Sadiq Hassan blasted an 87-ball not out 139 with twenty fours and four sixes, while Stephen Bailes (59*) gave every assistance during a partnership that took the home side to an overwhelming victory with some twenty overs in hand. Nigel Keess escaped the onslaught for the most part in a canny spell of ten overs of spin, but the remainder of the bowlers used all encountered unaccustomed treatment. Bailes notched seven fours while Hassan rampaged, and several overs went for fifteen or more as the partnership tore along.

   S.Stickler did at least manage a maiden over in the carnage, and Paget was never really collared, but the manner of the win was astonishly decisive, and Bromley took sixteen points from the encounter to four by Wells. With the return fixture set for the August Bank Holiday Monday, Bromley are poised to move to the top of the table, while Wells hang on to the fourth spot.

   The Mote put Wells in to bat at The Nevill, and did a fine job in restricting the home effort for much of the duration. The track was to some extent difficult to play freely upon, and the Mote bowlers, spin and seam alike, utilised the conditions ably. 

   Wells were guided to 59-1 from 21 overs by the patient Gregor Paterson (30), before the visiting attack countered with three wickets for 35 runs. Tom Elliott (50), meanwhile, played comfortably and coolly, and was beginning to cut loose when he fell with the score at 140-7, and it was left to a skipper's contribution from Brough Cooper, with an undefeated 32 from 37 balls, to hoist the total on to 188-8 at the close with three batting points gathered in. Elliott pull-drove two magnificent sixes in his innings, while Cooper reached the boundary five times in his vital cameo, partnered by the evergreen Nigel Keess.

   The chase was reduced to 13-2 from six overs of nagging accuracy from Caspian Paget and Chris Fenwick, but Richard Coles (46) resisted stoutly despite steady inroads from the home attack. After 34 overs, the total had been brought down to 108-7, and hereabouts the Mote lower order went on the offensive as Chris Bell and Richard Usher began to go for the target. A lively 40 minutes ensued as Cooper permutated his resources, and the return of Fenwick with Rob Sharma (4-44) was the successful solution as the innings fell away to 153 all out. Sam Stickler's catch to remove Alan Barr was exceptional.

   Wells took 20 points from the game, and raised themselves to fourth spot in the table as a result. With the two leaders to be played in the coming three matches, the opportunity to improve that position lies in their own hands.

   The Vine asked Wells to bat first, but for a long while this decision looked to have backfired. Sam Stickler (51) played a leading and important role, assisted by Rob Sharma (21) and Harry Florry (26), in setting the tone of the match as the score was raised to 92-1 after 33 overs. John Gethins (5-62) now altered matters as he grabbed four wickets for no runs in nine balls to send the Wells innings tumbling to 98-5, and rebuilding was the immediate requirement. Nigel Keess (29*) stepped up to fashion that recovery, with Theo Burley and Caspian Paget adding vital cameos, and the 50 overs saw Wells reach 185-8 in conditions that gave both sides a chance.

   The home reply was rocked by the loss of two wickets before a run was on the board, with Chris Lawrence and Chris Fenwick wreaking havoc with the ball. Lawrence was in special form, snapping up 4-20, as the innings stuttered to 46-5, and Sharma (2-30) also weighed in as the chase faltered despite a defiant 41 from James Gethins. Jono Arscott (26) gave support, but the visitor's attack was unstoppable, and the innings moved to 110-7 from 31 overs. Two run-outs then checked some late resistance from Ben Richardson and Ed Goodworth, and the win was wrapped up after 43 overs as the Vine ended on 143 all out, Wells taking 20 points from the encounter.

   The XI moved up a place in the table, but, also with a game-in-hand, are a mere bat-first win away from third spot, and have a great chance to end the year with tangible results : the top seven are separated by just 32 points, and jostling for position will be the theme for the final four matches of 2009.

   Wells opted to bat first on The Main Ground, and so well did they start that 100 runs were posted for the opening partnership by Gregor Paterson and Rob Sharma (36).

   Paterson's resolute, fluent knock of 80 contained eight fours and a six, and saw his side to 132-1 after 32 overs, whereupon the later batsmen successfully strove to haul in the maximum bonus points available, as Harry Florry (35) and James Madgwick (24) consolidated effectively. Although wickets were sacrificed in the final hectic stages, the 200 was duly passed and Lordswood were set to make 215 for victory. Best figures for the visiting attack came from Nathan Moore with 3-44.

   The chase was given a flying start by Paul Richards, whose 82-ball 68 took the score to a sizzling 124-2 after 25 overs. Overcoming the early fall of two wickets, Richards received solid assistance from Laurence Frost in a third stand of 95, before Wells found their way back into the match with three further wickets. Frost was undeterred by these setbacks, however, and took his side to 194 in a splendidly fashioned 84 (four 4s and one six) which effectively took the game away from Wells in the closing stages. Caspian Paget finally ran out Frost while additionally picking up 2-33, and his effort, combined with a miserly spell from Sharma, took the match into the final over. At length, John Williams hit the four that won the game with just three balls to spare, and Lordswood reeled in the 16 points that a bat-second win brings, and a splendidly-fought match came to its thrilling end.

   Wells stay in touch with the leaders in the Division, now some thirty points away, but will need to add more wins to their campaign haul to ensure survival.

   Wells were compelled to field first at The Grove, and, following a steady start by the home batting, gave a strong performance to nullify the early progress. It still required determination to grasp the win thereafter, but the team put together a commendable effort as the target was overhauled.

    Aaron Glass (53) played finely with only limited support to push the total up to 110-2 after 25 overs, whereupon it took skipper Paul Geary (47) to hold the innings together as the bowlers enjoyed resurgent dominance. Chris Fenwick (3-39) and Chris Lawrence (3-59) were chief architects of the Gore Court capitulation, which saw the remaining eight wickets fall while just 88 runs were gathered, the all-out score realising 198 in exactly 50 overs. 'Keeper Will Arthur pouched three catches, while Sam Stickler caught two and ran-out one in a largely satisfactory showing in the field.

   The chase required 199, and Stickler (42) now partnered Gregor Paterson (37) as the opening stand posted 72. The home attack struck back from this point, and only a free-scoring cameo from the graceful James Madgwick (48) prevented collapse, as the score slipped to 129-5 with 14 overs remaining. The final phase of play saw a very fine innings from Nigel Keess (30*), who received ample support from Arthur (20*) in an unbroken partnership of 53 that took Wells to victory with 16 balls to spare. Keess stroked five fours, and Arthur four, as the victory approached, and eventually the 16 points were taken as the excellent seventh stand prevailed.

   The Wells side are still positioned above the dropzone, but only 20 points separate second spot from eighth, with all to play for in the coming weeks. Such elevation as may be achieved can therefore see the XI make major strides in the table, and nail down another season in the Premier IIs Division.

   Brough Cooper won the toss for Wells, and, with light drizzle in the air, asked Dartford to take first knock at The Nevill. His bowlers proceeded then to take full toll of helpful conditions, as the ball seamed and moved about for much of the time, while only an innings of great pedigree from Jeremy Dasarath held up the inevitable progress.

   A fine spell from Jan Ball (4-33) led to the innings slipping to 54-3 before Dasarath, with little support, dragged the total single-handedly to 121-7. His 62 included six fours and spanned 152 balls, but only now was there a flicker of resistance, with Wells denied full bowling points as the overs ran out. The Dartford score of 150-8 was a desperate effort in the conditions, and now only the damp in the air, beginning to settle in, could thwart the home side.

   After tea, a breezy 47 from Mark Alexander set the tone of urgency, as he collected nine boundaries in an opening partnership of 71 with Gregor Paterson. This total had taken just eleven overs, but soon the cloud-cover and drizzle, more akin to a sea-fret on the coast, together with poor light, led to a halt in play that lasted for over an hour. Eventually, conditions alleviated sufficiently for a re-start at 19.40, and Wells had 13 overs in which to get 64 to win. Paterson now took charge, and, partnered by James Madgwick, moved the score along in fits and bursts which were always within touch of the required rate. The Dartford attack briefly scented success, but in the end this proved to be illusory, as the second stand held. Paterson saw his side home with three overs in hand, on his way to an undefeated 66 (nine fours) while Madgwick chimed in with 28 not out. The second wicket put up 81 runs in all, and the 16 points came to Wells as a result.

   The win widened the gap above the dropzone marginally, but there is a game-in-hand to be played out on the August Bank Holiday weekend, and thus the retaining of Premier Status is eased to that extent.

   The Second XI was able to field a full-strength side on their visit to Bexley, and, winning the toss, batted first on a splendid track on a very warm day, enjoying a comparative run-fest as they ran up 277-4 in their 50 overs.

   Nigel Keess (57) and Evert Bekker put up a new record opening partnership of 139 in 25 overs, which allowed the remaining batsmen to play freely for the duration. Bekker went on to see the total up to 205-1 before just failing to reach three figures, his resolute 98 containing ten fours. Harry Florry gave rapid support, including one sumptuous straight six, as he compiled a 58-ball 47, and the last nine overs saw a further 72 runs rattled up. Skipper Brough Cooper had the luxury of smashing a quickfire undefeated 25 in this phase, with Jack Richardson adding 28* at a gallop, and Bexley were asked to make a challenging 278 for victory.

   The reply was well-founded with 77 posted for the opening stand, but the introduction of Fred Florry (6-42) applied the brakes while reducing the effort to 132-4 after 33 overs. Wells turned to spin at both ends with Nigel Keess assisting Florry in a 12-over partnership, and the innings further subsided to 166-8 with seven overs remaining. This was to prove to be the end of the victory charge for Wells, however, and the home ninth pair withstood the varied attemps to dislodge them as they guided Bexley to the draw.

   The momentum generated by the Wells effort was altogether of a high standard, and, even if full victory was denied them, the winning draw was highly satisfactory, and the performances on the day gave notice of better things for the remainder of the campaign.

   Wells elected to bat first after winning the toss, but quickly encountered some early movement, with the result that two good wickets were lost early on.

   Skipper Nigel Keess played a highly responsible knock to steadfastly rebuild the innings, but lost the promising Emmerson Wood and Jack Richardson before Jan Ball settled in to form a rescuing partnership. From 65-4, Keess and Ball added 76 well-played runs as the fifth stand consolidated the effort, but three further wickets then fell while fourteen runs were made, and the lower order had to resist the slide. So well did Sam Watts and Stefan Grosvenor respond that two further batting points were achieved with 53 runs coming from the last nine overs.

   Bickley Park lost a wicket in Wood's opening over, yet a whirlwind fifty from 27 balls by Peter Dugmore threatened to transform the match. Dugmore at one point scored 40 from 12 balls, but, mercifully, Ball removed him at 68-1, and the game resumed normal proportions once again. Wells, in fact, achieved enough to reduce the chase to 96-5 after 21 overs, and, with Evert Bekker (4-46) performing nobly, the game favoured the home side.

   Martin Maunders (44) and Alex Lorimer (22) then set about retrieving the position, and took the score to 183-7 with 28 needed for the win. The attack struck again at 202 as Julian Ramsey (29) was removed by Wood, but that was to be the last success, and the win was squeezed out by the ninth pair with some seven overs to spare. The result allowed Wells to remain above the dropzone, and a splendidly-contested match with the advantage shifting from one side to another throughout was settled by the narrowest of margins.

   Wells took first knock upon winning the toss, clearly wanting to dominate the high-flying home side, and, following an early setback, Nigel Keess and James Madgwick put together a brisk recovery to take the score up to 60-1 after twelve overs.

   Some vintage shots from Emmerson Wood promised much but was cut short, and the innings was re-shaped as skipper Brough Cooper (35) put together a fifty partnership with Jack Richardson. The Mote attack now broke through steadily, and a lengthy struggle saw Wells just reach a third batting point at 175 as the innings completed after 49.3 overs.

   The reply was tortured by the pace and accuracy of Ben Entacott, scarcely a bat being laid upon his noble opening spell, but runs leaked effectively at the other end. Jan Ball stepped up to grab three wickets, Keess and Entacott one apiece, and the chase was at a crossroads by the halfway point. The home skipper, Jason Dunk (48*), battled through the difficulties, however, and, aided by some lusty blows from the number eight, saw to a narrow win by four wickets with four overs in hand.

   Wells remain just above the relegation zone, and, with the returning academics to strengthen the XI, are poised to lift their game decisively in the very near future. 

   Wells won the toss and chose to bat first at The Nevill, and, despite an early reverse, settled down to post a very useful score, led by the obdurate Gregor Paterson.

   James Madgwick stroked a polished 32 out of 68-2 while Paterson played the anchor role, finally seeing the score to 136-6 in the face of a lively attack that always posed problems. Tom Nissen headed the visitors' figures, snaring 4-60, with strong support down the list, and the runrate scarcely reached four-per-over as a platform was steadily established, from which a late assault could be launched. Paterson notched a vital 52 with six fours, whereupon Emmerson Wood profited as he crashed an undefeated 60 (7 fours and 1 six) while the last ten overs produced a pulsating record 90 runs for the seventh stand, with Sam Watts contributing a battling 30 not out. The momentum passed to the home side in this phase, and a target of 227 was set as the overs ran out.

   The response from The Vine was rocked with a first-ball wicket, but stabilised by a defiant 69 from Duncan Irens at number two. Giles Randle (3-37) tore out the middle order, but Irens found a resolute partner in Chris Crang as the match reached a turning point at 110-6. Wells opted for spin at this point, and Nigel Keess (4-70) speculated to accumulate, despite a bristling not-out 44 from Bruce Leeke. Stefan Grosvenor also spun his web, netting Irens at 122, with Keess adding the remainder at calculated cost as the win was gradually reeled in.

   For Brough Cooper, the stand-in skipper, this was a satisfyingly well-managed victory, following grave disappointments in earlier encounters, and he led his team most capably as they pocketed 20 points while moving up the table into more comfortable regions.

   Wells won the toss and batted on an ideal surface at The Nevill, and, for thirty overs, they prospered as the youthful James Madgwick (69) played a pedigree knock to see the score up to 124-2.

   After Chris Williams (30) had launched the innings in forthright manner, Nigel Keess (28) and Madgwick built a solid foundation as 67 runs came for the second stand. Blackheath, however, removed the middle order to a mixture of technical and temperamental extravagances, and five wickets tumbled as 34 runs were added. This slump took away the prospect of a competitive target, notwithstanding the late efforts of Sam Watts and Stefan Grosvenor, and a final all-out score of 177 was justly an anti-climax after the steady start. Madgwick struck nine boundaries in his fine innings, marred only by his suicidal departure following a misfield on the second run.

   The chase for victory occupied only 35.5 overs, with Jack Ford (58) and Christian Dean (47*) putting up 71 for the second partnership, Dean and Seb Slater adding an untroubled 65 to seal the win without further loss. Wells managed to take two wickets, but showed profligacy with extras at the outset, and the early breakthrough eluded their best efforts, after which, the result became more of a formality.

   The outcome of the encounter served to drop the XI into the relegation zone, yet better times will surely come, given the various talents that the side can put out, and the imminent return of several Uni players will also straighten out some uncertainties.

   Wells elected to bat first at Lordswood, but could not break away to post a challenging score as John Williams (5-29) saw to the demise of the top order, only Gregor Paterson showing real permanence as the score slipped to 98-5.        Skipper Brough Cooper tried to arrest the decline as 38 runs were ground out for the fourth partnership with Paterson, but the home attack allowed few liberties, and the runrate barely exceeded three-per-over throughout, Kevin Masters putting down fifteen overs for just 28 runs. With the cream of the batting removed, only a tail-end rally fashioned by Grant Stephens, with James Sharp contributing, resulted in a target total of 164 being set. The full fifty overs were utilised in the effort, and the Wells attack had much work to do.

   The Lordswood reply went at a faster rate throughout, with 83 runs being made for the first wicket, as Laurence Frost featured with 45. Zach Plews (35) anchored the chase, but Wells only managed two further wickets as the total was overhauled with seventeen overs in hand. Stephens enjoyed a productive spell with the ball, but generally too many four-balls were presented, and the hoped-for breakthroughs did not materialise. Lordswood took the match with seven wickets unused, and consolidated their position at the head of the table.

   Again missing their captain elect (on First Team duty), Wells Second XI were led out by Elliott Hughes, who had a very fine game, which was completed with an astonishing performance from Giles Randle, who took four wickets in four balls to snatch a victory, in the final over, that had long looked unlikely. The priceless resistance from two of Gore Court's younger players had endured through 25 overs, and, when they were both eventually dismissed, only 12 balls remained in the game. Thus an extraordinary climax to a fascinating match was achieved, the full 20 points going to the home XI.

   Wells batted first, having had to dry off the groundsheets covering the wicket only hours before, and made steady progress on their way to 150-3, Jan Ball (34) being the main contributor. Sam Watts (21*) then controlled the dash for points, with notable help from Stefan Grosvenor, and the final ten overs netted exactly the 49 runs required as the allocation was completed. Gore Court were asked to make 201 for victory or bat out the overs, and how close they came to doing so has already been indicated. 

   Randle, bowling with good shape and a hint of swing, partnered by Chris Courtney, reduced the reply to 61-5 after 22 overs, and a home win was definitely in prospect. Shaun Piesley was then joined by Richard Jackson, and these two Colts then proceeded to withstand the hitherto dominant attack for all but 22 balls of the required 50 overs, showing welcome safety in defence while being unafraid to punish anything loose. Piesley had reached 32* when a mix-up resulted in Jackson (40) being run out, and the heroic resistance was broken, but it took a hatefully good catch by S.Watts to remove Piesley eight runs later, with five balls left in the game and two wickets still needed. Randle's last ball of the previous over had clean-bowled the number eight, and the final over now brought him three-in-three, starting with that catch, to wrap up the match amid great drama. The magnificent effort by the two Gore Court youngsters nonetheless stood out, with Jackson taking the Man-of-the Match Award for his Team. 

   The win lifted Wells to third spot in the table.

   Put in to bat at Hesketh Park, Wells found the extravagant movement disconcerting on a raw greentop, but an epic knock from former skipper Nigel Keess put matters into perspective over the course of much of the innings.

Captain Brough Cooper gave vital support after the early loss of two wickets, taking the score up to 60-3, while Barnie Shaw also helped Keess to move the total along. However, the home bowlers knew their track, and took wickets all too frequently, Pat Williams (4-23) bringing up a peremptory close at 141 with three overs unused. Keess was seventh out at 130, having defied the keen attack through 41 overs for a painstaking yet invaluable 59 (6 fours), exhibiting no little skill along the way, but the tail failed to wag, and Dartford were left to make 142 to take the game.

   The reply was rocked by Giles Randle, Chris Courtney - both on League debut - and Jan Ball (whose first two balls took wickets), and 44-5 was the sudden outcome. Amir Ali began to rebuild the chase, in partnership with Ross Allen (39), and the attack allowed too many four-balls as progress slowly turned the game towards the home side. 82 runs were posted for the sixth stand before Sam Watts held on to a fine deepfield catch from Ali (59), whereupon messrs Keess and Michael Churchill spun out a further brace of batsmen to keep Wells in the hunt at 137-8. However, it fell to the ninth pair to see to the little matter of six more runs, and the win was duly achieved albeit in tense circumstances.

   Wells again fielded several good Youth Cricketers, who all played their part, along with the seniors, while notable effort was put in on the groundwork and catching, which argued that a narrow defeat on a result track was not by any means a disaster.

   Wells visited Hastings and batted first upon winning the toss. Emmerson Wood hit up a rapid 59 to see the score to 129-4, assisted by Nigel Keess (37), and later Michael Churchill rallied the lower order, also reaching a half-century. Churchill took a while to get his effort moving, and the visitors' innings motored gently to 197-7 from their 45 overs, with little hint of urgency later on.

   Hastings set off with determination, led by Joe Powell (77) with a cumbersome and uncertain knock, but a highpoint of 157-2 quickly fell away as Wells took eight wickets for just 14 runs to wrap up the win surprisingly easily. Wood completed a fine all-round match with 5-20 as the innings disintegrated.