TODAY IS:

Forest Row in partnership with Douche visited Ansty. Weakened by holidays, Row won the toss and decided to take first use of a good, dry batting wicket – which would give more assistance to the bowler. Row opened with Britt and Jackson some testing bowling from T. Freeman & Morgan. The pair added 20 when a Jackson inside edge cannoned into his pads and on the stumps. Westmuckett (0) soon followed – bowled, backing away from Morgan after being on the receiving end of a nutcracker! An off cutter then cleaned up gaunt (9) looked to have settled in, after a sumptuous cover drive. When M Divall was bowled by a full toss, Row were in serious trouble – with all of the recognised batting blown away – save one. Britt was joined by Long (1), helping to establish some semblance of a partnership. Britt, unable to take any real risks, waited for the inevitable bad ball to punish. Britt on drove Janman for four to raise his fifty. Long’s resistance was finally ended by the unorthodox spin of J. Freeman – breaking a stand of 45, with the score on 80-5. Pinnock (4) helped usher the score to 93. Gradually, the remaining wickets tumbled, with Britt the last out trying to wring some more runs out of the Ansty attack - for a determined 74.

Defending 115 was always going to be tough, as Anderson and Hill were in no mood to be shackled. Hill sending Divall over the ropes twice. Row’s biggest bowling threat came from the ever improving Sean Mason – breaking the opening stand of 56 by bowling Hill (30). Had Row had an experienced keeper, Mason may have collected more – via stumpings. Mason latterly trapped Anderson LBW for a finely constructed 40. However, it was mere consolation as Ansty were a boundary hit away from victory – duly administered by Senadhira, sealing a one sided contest.

Forest Row 115(36.4) Britt 74, Gaunt 9, Extras 17. T. Freeman 7-2-22-3, Janman 5-1-14-3

Antsy 117-2 (21.1) Anderson 40, Hill 30, J Nutter 15*. Mason 6.1-1-17-2