TODAY IS:

Forest Row, in partnership with Douche, visited Hurstpierpoint. On a slightly moist wicket, acting Captain Mark Jackson won the toss & elected to bat. A new opening pair of Britt & Farncombe took guard. Against some testing bowling, Farncombe (4) was 1st to go – bowled by an off-cutter from M Parsons. Wycherley (14) came in with some assuring strokes – until he was also castled by Parsons. Jackson (18) put away some rare loose offerings to boundary. However, he then Rowe (4) were undone by the movement of Hopkins. On 68-4 Murray Divall joined Britt. The pair constructed the most profitable stand of the innings with some fine stroked and glided shots – backed up by good running between the wickets. The pair compiled a threatening stand of 48, when not quite the fickle finger of fate intervened. A leg side delivery flicking the strap of Britt’s pad was worthy of an LBW appeal – with the umpires lightening reactions speeding Britt on his way for a gritty 35, with the score on 116. 4 runs later, Divall edged to slip for a well composed 27, as ‘Row folded – though not before Neil Divall’s play and miss was deemed to have played – ‘caught’ behind.

With only 138 to defend, Row needed tight bowling and early wickets. ‘Row opened with Neil Divall & Mike Keeler. Both bowled with purpose and accuracy. The break through however, initially eluded Row with the batsmen at one end, able to thrust out their front pad with impunity. Wycherley managed to snare his opposite number off Keeler, for the 1st wicket, only for stalemate to ensue. Pike and D Parsons dug in, collecting only a trickle of runs through fortuitous means. Britt came on to continue the efforts of Divall & Keeler – making numerous ‘academic appeals’ for leg before, with the fickle digit now firmly entrenched in pocket. ‘Rowe’s brief spell uprooted Parsons Stumps – though M Parsons came in with the air of assurance. Neil Divall’s return witness a superb reflex catch by Jackson – after the finger finally surfaced for Murray Divall to dismiss Pike (39). By then the horse had already bolted with Hopkins (12*) guiding Hurst’ with M Parsons (41*) to a 6 wicket win.

Forest Row 138 (39.5) Britt 35, M Divall 27 Naylor 6.51-23-3
M Parsons 16-7-21-2

Hurstpierpoint 141-4 (43.2) M Parsons 41* Pike 39 Rowe 3-0-8-1
M Keeler 10-5-12-1