TODAY IS:

Forest Row, in partnership with Douche, entertained Brighton & Hove Crescent on Sunday. Crescent won the toss & put Row in, on a wicket, which would favour the bowler, early on. Britt & Westmuckett opened, getting off to a brisk start-with some good running between the wickets. Westmuckett (12) was the first to go however, yorked by Osbourne. Osbourne finding some lift, just short of a length, got one to rear sharply – striking Britt on the chin. The resulting injury forced Britt to retire hurt and off to casualty. Geeman joined Gaunt and counter attacked in style, as Crescents lack of depth in their bowling was exposed. Making up the run out of Gaunt, Geeman hit a maiden fifty for Row – when Dent, dented his stumps for a frenetic 56. Taylor and MJ Keeler came together and maintained the assault. Taylor smashing 5 sixes in a thump 56 of his own. Keeler smashed 35 and with contributions from Jones (19*) and M Divall (12*), Row rattled up 263-6 at tea.

With runs on the board, Row were able to attack with the metronomic Murray Divall and the spin of ‘the Mace’ Sean Mason. Row’s early innings infliction of dropping catches resurfaced – as chances went begging. When Britt entered the attack, with chin glued back together, his run of missed chances continued. Britt however, finally broke through – yorking Ford for 47. Pomfrett meanwhile, had endeavoured to fritter away his nine lives. Chipping through the leg side and witnessing the ball fry to the boundary. He raised his fifty with another skin-ing shot of the inside edge – prompting calls for him to bat left handed – so he could use the other side of the bat. Pomfrett eventually had his chips when Keeler accepted a nick behind off Britt. Geeman came to the fore again with a ‘dead-eye’ strike to run out – to Dent, Dents stumps. He also took two catches of A J Mason’s bowling. However, with the matching meandering to a draw, Row gave a chance for Horlock and Westmuckett to turn their arm over.

Scores: Forest Row 263-6 (38) Geeman & Taylor 56, M J Keeler 35. Dent 7-0-45-2
B&H Crescent 191-5 Pomfree 63, Ford 47, A J Mason 5-0-25-2 Britt 7-0-39-2