TODAY IS:

Forest Row, sponsored by Flora Pro activ, travelled to Staplefield in their penultimate match of the season. Needing a win for the chance of promotion, Row won the toss & on a damp wicket, duly inserted Staplefield. Paul Rowe and Neil Divall opened for Rowe, with divall making the breakthrough having Shrubb (6) caught behind by Sam Edwards – deputising behind the stumps. Middle (13) joined S Barker to add 30 for the 2nd wicket, when Murray divall induced a skied chance to Woodward at cover. Soon after, N Divall bowled barker (25) trapped Mercado (4) lbw – Staplefield 58-4. A stand of 31 was realised between Threaper (22) & McDermott (9) when Farncombe broke through with a brace. Britt found the edges of Threaper, T Barker (5) & Griffith (4). N Divall’s return cleaned up Ireland (6) as staplefield were bowled out for 112.

In reply, Britt & Jackson opened for row, faced with a barrage of bouncers from T Barker, Jackson’s (5) miss timed hook witnessed his demise – caught at square leg. Britt (8) fell soon after, missing a full toss with had been floated over the inadequate sightscreens. Barnett (25) & Woodward (20) added 35 when J. Ralph castled him. Edwards joined Barnett in a stand of 34. Barnett belting 2 sixes before also losing the ball above the sightscreen. Edwards (22) miss timed effort, after a sublime cameo saw his demise with the score on 90-5. With 23 still required, Neil Divall (15) took the long handled approach. After a six & a four, he missed a straight one with Row still 8 runs short of victory. More drama followed as needing only 4 more, Farncombe (0) skied a pull, and then Sid Shreeves (30) was bowled off his pads, off Shrubb. Staplefield, who were resigned to defeat, saw a possible chance to snatch a result. Paul Rowe however, had other ideas. Ralph served up a half volley, which Rowe smashed over mid off to seal what had become a tense & dramatic victory.
Row now require 4 points to secure 2nd place & promotion!

Staplefield 112 (40.1) S Barker 25, Threaper 22, N Divall 14.1-2-25-4, Britt 7-2-19-3 Farncombe 6-0-12-2

Forest Row 113-8 (29.4) Barnett 25, Edwards 22, Woodward 20, M Shrubb 6-0-26-3, T Barker 6-2-13-2