A showery cool afternoon saw the first cricket match of the season at Winchelsea between the hosts and visitors Clive Vale, an unusual game of 12 per side.

Asked to bat first, Vale’s returning opener Andy Hayes was undone early by a good ball from Pierce which he brushed to wicket keeper Brown and then walked off without waiting for the umpire’s finger. Left hander Chris Brook then battled against good bowling in several partnerships to a well earned 44, including 2 sixes, before being caught by J. Pope off the frustratingly accurate off spin of Winchelsea skipper Alan Crouch, who ended up with 7 for 30 off 16 overs with 5 maidens. Support came from Adam Wickens (24), club chairman Ivan Buss (19 including 1 six) and Matt Bowles (14) to make Vale’s total 141. Pierce claimed both opening wickets for Winchelsea and keeper Brown held two sharp catches despite being humorously described by his skipper as “a human sieve”.

In reply, Winchelsea opener T. Brownbill was caught and bowled off a deceptive ball by Adam Wickens with the score on 2. M. Cook then blasted his way to an unbeaten 83 including 8 sixes, despite the efforts of the Vale bowlers and fielders to contain him. He was supported for a while by opener J. Hamilton, who made 20, including one six. Wickets went to Wickens (2 for 21 from 9 overs), Guy Wenham (1 for 3 from 2 overs), skipper Darren Mortimer (1 for 38 from 8 overs) and Dinesh Jeganathan (1 for 39 from 5 overs). Two catches were taken in the field and one was horribly dropped off the bowling of guest 12th man Gary Willis, after he had toiled for 8 overs.

Vale were comprehensively beaten after 33 overs.