TODAY IS:

Forest Row, sponsored by Flora Pro Activ, visited Smallfield on a damp afternoon. Row won the toss and elected to field, on a wicket offering a little assistance for the bowler. Holland bowled the 1st over – where Mathews (8), batting in a hurry, proceeded to charge down the wicket. He sliced 2 4’s through & over the slips, before having his stumps rearranged. N Hartnell joined S Blackburn in a stand of 46, interrupted by a rain stoppage, was concluded when Blackburn (25) chipped M Divall to Holland. Britt’s introduction witnessed Burberry (8) caught by N Divall at gully, then Hartnell (15) –well caught by Humphrey at 1st slip. Britt soon after, bowled Glossop (1) to leave Smallfield on 75-5. As the wicket slowly dried, conditions improved for batting, R Hartnell with C Blackburn, whilst surviving chances offered – took advantage as Row tinkered with the bowling. Hartnell (80) dominated proceedings in a clubbing fashion – finding the boundary with regularity. Row struck back when M Divall had Blackburn stumped by a mile, then 2 comical run outs in the final over saw Smallfield reach 185-8, with the stumps at the other end getting the treatment for a bad call.
With the threat of rain in the air, Row needed to get off to a good start. Wycherley (16) and Way (6) opened. By the time 29 was posted, both were back in the hutch, as both mis-timed drives, both caught by M Hartnell off L Blackburn. Barnett & N Divall came together and against bowling, which lacked any purpose, tucked in to add 81 when Barnett fell – not before reaching another commanding 50. Divall then stepped up a gear, blazing past his own 50. Although Woodward (13) fell, Divall’s last three shots (4,6,6,) propelled him to an equally masterful 90*, capping a resounding victory with 9.2 overs to spare.

Scores. Smallfield – 185-8(47) R Hartnell 80, L Blackburn 28.
Britt 14-4-38-3, M Divall 20-3-47-2
Forest Row 191-4 (34.4) N Divall 90*, Barnett 52. L Blackburn 10-1-32-3