TODAY IS:

Forest Row, in partnership with Douche, entertained West Chiltington on Sunday. Row won the toss and elected to bat – soon found themselves in trouble. Against some respectable, though not threatening bowling, lost Jackson (6) caught behind. Britt (7) soon followed, leaving an away swinger, looked up to see the umpires figure raised after a concerted appeal. Dee (6) was brilliantly caught – and the slow spin change bowlers picked up wickets –as Row’s middle order gave catching practise. Neil Divall held firm thankfully and then put the quality of the bowling into a more appropriate perspective – of the January sales kind. He dispatched the bowling – literally to all parts. Aided by Trench (15), Stanniford (7), Keeler (5) and Mason (10), he took the score from 49-6 to 230 all out. Divall smashed an awesome 135 not out – finding the boundary 23 times and clearing it a further 5

Opening with Taylor and Trench, Row set about maintaining the ascendancy achieved by Divall. Trench was unlucky – having a couple of chances missed. Taylor was miserly, going for 14 off 8 overs and securing the breakthrough – having Francis (21) well caught by Stanniford. Britt & Mason replaced the opening pair. Britt striking 1st ball – Ward (30) spooning a drive to Stanniford, for another fine catch – especially when Westmuckett was bearing down on him, not realising Stanniford was there. Britt then had Mustkin (1) caught by Mason – and when Mason bowled Hussey (4), then Godfrey (0), Row were on top. The main obstacle to victory was in Llewlyn. The no. 3 played some handsome drives and was the key wicket. Row However kept chipping away, at the other end. Britt had Moulton smartly caught behind by Keeler, then yorked Francis. Mason had Carl Mustkin well caught by Divall – after a field change. This left Llewelyn still at the crease – with time running out. Enter Stanniford into the attack – who capped a superb effort in the field by having Llewelyn caught behind by 57 and ‘Row winning by 75 runs.

Forest Row 230 (38) Divall 135*, Trench 15 Mason 10 Moulton 5-0-24-2

West Chiltington 155(37) Llewelyn 57, Ward 30 Britt 10-2-23-4 Mason 7-1-36-3