A pleasant, sunny afternoon at Westfield saw a 40 over contest between the hosts and Clive Vale, playing their first game of the 2009 season and experimenting with a new pink ball.

Batting first, Westfield openers N. Taylor (51) and D. Corke (19) struggled to score against tight bowling from Vale bowlers Adam Wickens (8-2-28-0) and Matt Bowles (7.2-0-16-1), until the introduction of surprise strike bowler Chris Kirkham (6-0-29-3), who woke up the club’s statisticians by claiming the year’s first three wickets, the first no ball and the first wide. He should have had four wickets, but was robbed of one by an dropped catch by one of Vale’s finest, who was suitably ribbed about it for the rest of the afternoon. Westfield struggled on against equally good bowling from Chris Brook (7-0-26-3), Guy Wenham (4-1-18-3) and young Liam Stamp (8-3-17-0), who was unlucky to go unrewarded. Two catches were held by Wenham, one each went to Kirkham, Martin Deaves, Andy Hayes, Bowles (off his own bowling) and a difficult chance was held by Stamp in the deep. Fielding support was excellent, with wickets falling at regular intervals and scoring prevented.

In reply, Vale stalwarts Andy Hayes (18) and Carl Brook (24) provided an anchor, but a misfire from the middle order meant that a rearguard effort was needed from Chris Brook (30 not out) supported by Guy Wenham (9) in order to secure the win. Wickets fell to R. Lade (8-2-20-2), C. Coombes (6-1-20-2), J. Brooks (3-0-6-1) and M. Pegram (2.2-0-8-1).