TODAY IS:

The first big score of the season for the Rowes!!

A fixtures list blunder marked Forest Row 2nd XI return to Stoner league action, when they found themselves one of four teams scheduled to play two matches on one pitch at the same time on Saturday. After a flurry of frantic phone calls, Row's game against Keymer and Hassocks was switched to a nearby ground and Keymer and Hassocks were put into bat. Openers V. L'Estrange (23) and J. Istead (28) built a patient stand of 57, keeping the Row bowlers at bay for an hour, before Mike Keeler struck taking a fine reflex catch of his bowling to dismiss Istead. Shortly afterwards, Jamie Brownlie bowled L'Estrange. But D. Pithie (61no) and P. Mullane (21) settled in quickly then hit the accelerator pedal, adding 61 in a short space of time. Phil Rowe eventually broke the partnership, beating Mullane in the air, and having him caught behind. The score was 123-3 with 8 overs of the innings left. Ransley (23no) and Pithie added an invaluable 52 runs, featuring only two boundaries and hard running between the wickets. Keymer closed on 175-3 at tea. Mike Keeler was the pick of the Row bowlers with 1-38 off 19 overs, and was always a threat while Simon Trench found the edge a number of times, and was unfortunate not to have an early wicket when to all the world except the keeper, he had L'Estrange caught behind. But typical of the spirit the game was played in, Graham Rowe the keeper was quick to point out that the ball didn’t carry to him.

In reply, Graham Rowe (64) and Jamie Brownlie (17) gave Row a solid start putting on 50 in an hour, before Brownlie was caught at mid-wicket of Denison. Stands of 26 and 40 between anchorman Graham Rowe and Mick Humphrey (10), then with Simon Trench (19) inched Row nearer to their target. Row were left with 70 runs needed for victory off 10 overs, with seven Wickets in hand. Within a couple overs Row lost three wickets, L'Estrange taking a second, and Dunn taking two in an over. Phil Rowe (21no) kept the run chase going adding 20 with brother Graham (completing an excellent half century), and further 20 with Mike Keeler (13), taking on the fielders with aggressive running between the wickets. The game finished as a draw with Row closing on 156-7, as overall neither side could take complete control of the match. V L'Estrange with 3-54 off 13 overs, and C. Dunn with 2-29 off 14 overs were the pick of the Keymer bowlers who never let Row get away from them.

KEYMER AND HASSOCKS 175-3
V L'Estrange (23) J Istead (28) D. Pithie (61no) P Mullane (21) Ransley (23no)
M Keeler 1-38, J Brownlie 1-19, P Rowe 1-27

FOREST ROW 2nd XI 156-7
G Rowe (64), J Brownlie (17) S Trench (19) M Keeler (13)
V L'Estrange 3-54, C Dunn 2-29