This week Clive Vale made the journey up to Tunbridge Wells to play Linden Park
After the wet weather the previous day and a quick pitch inspection, it was no surprise to see stand in skipper Steve Brook insert the opposition when he won the toss, hoping that the wet wicket would offer seam movement for the Vale bowlers and dry out later when Vale batted.
Liam Stamp (4-50) and Adam Wickens (0-36) opened the bowling and were quickly put to the sword by Park's overseas player J.Shotz who made a rapid 67 with his 50 coming in the 7th over and with his fellow opener T.Comer (20) yet to get off the mark!
When Shotz was dismissed by Stamp, there followed a quick procession of wickets with Matt Bowles taking (3-27) and 3 run outs, of which one was superbly engineered with the quick thinking of wicket keeper Steve Brook providing a clever deflection off an incoming throw onto the stumps. Liam Bourne also bowled well conceding only 7 runs off his 6 overs but without reward. At one stage Park were reduced to 100-7 but the tail began to wag with Macgregor (24) and P.Buchner (26 not out) providing late resistance getting Park up to a competitive 163 all out.With the wicket drying, large outfield and a total which Vale were more than happy with, the dressing room had high hopes of chasing the total down.
Vale openers Andy Hayes (29) and Guy Wenham (11) put on 31 for the first wicket before Wenham fell to the accurate leg spin of Corconan (1-26). All the Vale batsman found conditions less than favourable, batting on a wicket which was offering turn and indifferent bounce. Only Adam Wickens (15) and Matt Bowles (30 not out) offered resistance. Left arm off spinner Gasking (6-20) used the conditions well with supporting contributions from Buchnan, MacGregor and Comer each taking one wicket.
Linden Park won by 14 runs.