TODAY IS:

Forest Row commenced the 2005 season with a visit to Balcombe, for the John Lingfield Shield. Skippered by Martin Britt, Row won the toss and elected to bat on a damp, but drying wicket. Britt and Jackson found runs hard to accumulate, due the slowness of the wicket and outfield – against some testing bowling from Anthony and Raz. 17 was reached, when Jackson (10) was LBW to Anthony. Westmuckett (0) then fell to Raz. Phil Rowe (21) helped to rebuild the innings with Britt, as the pair realised a stand of 45 before Rowe was LBW to Beacroft. Brian Edwards soon found some form to help see Row past three figures, as Britt hooked a beamer for 6 to raise his fifty. With some fine running between the wickets, the pair added 71, when Britt (60) perished – upping the tempo and soon after did Edwards for a sprightly 35. Paul Rowe (14) was off the mark with a 6. However, when Rowe then Gaunt (0) gave Raz a hatrick chance, late call up Mat Wells met the challenge with a sumptuous cover drive for 4. Row closing at tea on a useful 177-9. In reply, Gaunt and Britt opened up against Smith and Gallagher. Against a stronger batting line-up, Row needed to keep it tight – and they did. Backed up by some committed fielding. Gaunt broke through, accepting a neat return catch from Smith (9). With Gallagher finding his touch, he would be the prize wicket. Phil Rowe’s nagging persistence was rewarded with an upheld LBW appeal, though Gallagher kept on top of the required rate. The introduction of Westlake proved inspirational – bowling Anthony (6) with his 1st ball! Row’s fine fielding was encapsulated by a fine stop and throw by Gaunt, to run out Raz (8) – who then caught Wayne (5) off Westlake. Mason ‘slipped’ in a Yorker to undo Spanner (0). Meanwhile, Gallagher had raised his fifty and carried the fate of the game on his shoulders. Jackson and Paul Rowe combined to run out Gallagher for 57, though the fight was still with Balcombe, as Beecroft (10) clubbed and Olsen (19) stroked them ever closer – the ensuing gloom. Dee took a return catch and Jackson bowled Olsen to seal a super start to the season – Row winning by 26 runs and claiming the shield for the first time.

Forest Row: 177-9 (44). Britt 60, B. Edwards 35, Phil Rowe 21
Raz11-2-27-3, Olsen 4-0-27-2
Balcombe: 151 (37.4) Gallagher 57, Olsen 19. Westlake 6-0-28-3