TODAY IS:

Forest Row, under new sponsorship from Douch, visited Unicorns CC, based in Lindfield. Unicorns won the toss & elected to bowl on a damp-ish wicket and slow-ish outfield. Britt & Francis opened for Row, making a steady start. The new partnership grew, with Francis finding form, hitting the gaps and dominating the opening stand, which was finally broken when Britt was adjudged LBW for 48 – ending a stand of 155. Francis, well past fifty, duly raised his ton with a boundary, in a magnificent knock – ending on 111. Glen Taylor (14*) & Brian Edwards (11*) just failed to see Row to 200. Row declaring at tea on 197-5. In reply, Moss & M. DeFreitas, made a very pedestrian approach, in pursuit of their target. On a wicket, which had now flattened out and a faster outfield, Ward & MJ Keeler – then Dave Webb bowled well to keep the scoring in check. Shaun Mason’s off breaks spun Row a breakthrough, bowling Moss. However, Hut’s entrance changed the tempo completely. Unicorns suddenly looked interested as runs began to flow. Webb bowled DeFreitas (28), though Checksfield picked up the baton. Hut raced to 50 and the game had swung round dramatically. ‘Row desperately needed a wicket and Britt delivered it, taking the off stump of Hut, for a belligerent 59. Pullenger was missed behind the stumps, though thankfully was bowled by Taylor. Eldred was then run out by a superb throw by Bill Horlock. The chase continued as Taylor came on and Britt reasserted some pressure. Taylor bowled Checksfield (24) and had Evramis (8) brilliantly taken in the deep by Horlock. 17 off the last over, 3 wickets in hand and Britt to bowl. Britt took out Holmes middle stump, 2 two’s from B DeFreitas – then penultimate ball, Britt sent DeFreitas’s middle flying. One ball, left, one wicket required – but the ball slipped down the leg side and unicorns escaped.

Scores: Forest Row 197-5 Francis 111, Britt 48 Glennon 5-2-18-2
Unicorns 186 –9 Hut 59, M Defrietas 28, Britt 7-0-37-3, Taylor 4-0-18-3