TODAY IS:

Forest Row, sponsored by Flora Pro Activ, entertained Balcombe 2’s in a tight, rain influenced encounter. Row won the toss and elected to bat, with light drizzle in the air, Wycherley and Way made steady progress – adding 70 before more persistent rain forced everyone off. Play resumed a while later, with conditions considerably enhanced by the rain. 89 was realised when Way slipped out of his ground and was stumped off Wall. Wycherley, whom had survived 2 hard chances, raised his maiden league fifty for Row – was caught off Wall for 66 on 110-2. Neil Divall joined Barnett, as the pair increased the tempo. Divall (29), underway with a 6, added 44 with Barnett, when a suicidal call saw him run out. Barnett smashed 4 sixes either side of another belligerent fifty – in a 44 stand with Woodward (12). The rains then came, forcing an early declaration on 200-4, Barnett 67*.

The Rizacka brothers opened up against Paul Rowe and Sam Edwards – batting with few alarms in the drying, sunny conditions. The pair added 74 when the spin of Jackson was able to provide the break through, trapping A Rizacka (46) LBW. Jackson soon after struck twice, having Botting (0) caught Edwards and gaining an LBW against H Mitchell (1). K Mitchell joined W Rizacka on 93-3, adding 80 as Balcombe, with a little luck appear to be coasting to victory. The stand was ended when Britt had Rizacka (80) easily caught by Barnett. 2 balls later, Mitchell (30) nicked one to Wycherley – and ‘Row were back in the hunt. Britt then flattened Wall’s (2) off stump with Balcombe still 17 runs adrift. Lambert (15) flayed fortuitously, till he chipped Britt to Woodward, on 199-7, in the last over, with 4 balls remaining. Clarke swung and managed to connect past mid on, to award Balcombe a 3 wicket win with 3 balls to spare in another tight finish.

Scores: Forest Row 200-4 (42) Barnett 67*, Wycherley 66, Divall 29. Wall 9-1-55-2

Balcombe II 203-7 (50.3) W Rizacka 80, A Rizacka 46,
K Mitchell 30. Britt 10.3-1-38-4, Jackson 12-1-35-3