TODAY IS:

In the runs again

Forest Row’s 1st team, sponsored by Flora Pro Activ, finally got their season underway with a visit to Preston Nomads. Nomads won the toss and elected to bat on a hard but cracked wicket. Row opened with acting captain Paul Rowe and Sam Edwards. Rowe broke through almost immediately, yorking Schildkamp for a duck. His next over witnessed Burchell LBW to a shooter. With the score on 26, Rowe had Reynolds (14) skying a catch to Mark Hillen. M Jeffries and Verma, with a little fortune, set about repairing the damage with a stand of 68 –taking advantage of some shoddy outfielding, easing some of the pressure off Nomads. The stand was ended when Jeffries (38) ran out of luck – well caught by Barnett off M.Divall. Britt bowled Oliver (4), which was followed up by Farncombe having Verma caught by Divall for a determined 48. P. Jeffries (18) chipping and Strickland (22*) wafting took the score to 155 when the returning Edwards had Jeffries superbly caught by Paul Rowe. Britt ran out Said (0) with Nomads declaring on 173-8 off their 47 overs.
In reply, debutant Rob Wycherley (11) opened with Britt (13), adding 27 when Wycherley was bowled by Said. Barnett came to be crease, after witnessing the demise of Britt and Humphreys (1), was joined by Way. Watchful at first, Barnett gradually upped the tempo, as Row tried to arrest an increasing run rate in excess of 8 an over. With support, initially from Way (19), Farncombe (2), Hillen (2) and Edwards (6), Row kept chasing down the target. With 14 off the last over, Row could only manage 6 with the loss of 2 wickets. Barnett remained unbeaten for a superb 82. Row just 8 short of victory.

Scores: Preston Nomads 173-8 (47)
Verma 48, Jeffries 38, Strickland 22*
Paul Rowe 13-2-32-3, Farncombe 5-0-15-1 Britt 9-1-33-1

Forest Row 166-7 (46) Barnett 82*, Way 19
Schildkamp 9-0-38-3, Doctors 9-5-8-2