TODAY IS:

Forest Row's Saturday second team recorded a comfortable 96 run win, in their Stoner League Division 3 match over Cowfold.

After Cowfold elected to field, Row's opener Graham Rowe was a master class in how to anchor an innings on an uncertain pitch against tight bowling. His tenacious innings of 84, featuring a dozen boundaries, in two and a half hours of batting, provided the mainstay of the Row's innings. Rowe's opening partnership with Richard Woodward (17) of 29 got Row off to a steady start, but then 29-1 became 60-5 all too quickly as Ian Robinson and Phil Marshall seem to have wrested control back for Cowfold. However a crucial sixth wicket stand of 67 between Rowe and Simon Trench (42) began to take things back Row's way. Trench's innings was a measured one, featuring a high number of singles, with the occasional six and four here and there. After Trench's dismissal Rowe added a further 62 runs for the 7th wicket with Brian Edwards (10no) taking Row's total to a good target. A further dozen runs were added after Rowe's eventual dismissal, and Row finished on 201-8. For Cowfold the opening bowlers of Phil Marshall and Ian Robinson with 3-37 of 15 and 4 - 62 off 14 were their best bowlers.

In reply, Cowfold got off to a poor start when MJ Keeler had Steve Langer (0) caught by Bill Horlock on the 2nd ball of the innings. Phil Marshall (30) and Clive Newman (13) put on 35 for the second wicket, but soon after they fell in quick succession, to Lawrence Webb and Simon Trench. D Ponsford (10) and I Robinson (16) briefly threatened to build a good partnership, putting on a brisk 27 for the 4th wicket. But the introduction of pace ace Glen Taylor completely turned the game towards Row. 76-3 became 76-5, as the unplayable Taylor had both Ponsford and Robinson caught.
After Phil Rowe chipped in with a wicket, the unstoppable Taylor sliced through the tail claiming 5 for 17 off a 6 over spell. Cowfold slumped to 104-9, and 14 overs adrift from a draw. It was left to Phil Rowe to finish off the Cowfold innings at 105, having B Talbot (0) caught behind by his brother Graham.