by Barckley Sumner

Ashdon 194-7
High Beach 197-3

FINALLY, at the fifth time of asking High Beach recorded their first league victory of the season.

The Beach won the toss and elected to field on a flat looking pitch with a fast outfield.

Opening bowlers Glasgow and Kent both got the ball to swing and restricted scoring but were unable to make an intial breakthrough.

The first wicket did not fall until the introduction of Danny Fowler, making his farewell apprearance prior to joining the army, he had opener Salt (6) comprehensively bowled.

Then at the other end young Reece Hanna then bowled Ashdon’s dangerous number 3 Hall (1). A third wicket quickly fell when Fower had Gardiner (2) caught behind.

With the weather hot the Beach then turned to their slow bowlers Evans and Robin Bear. Evans picked up three wickets with his off spin, although his figures of 3-50 were a touch high. At the other end Bear exerted good control and was able to choke the life out of the innings, although he did not pick a wicket his 9 overs went for just 26 runs.

For Ashodon opener Millership had battred with good discpline and was harbouring plans to throw the bat in the closing overs, however he was well bowled by Evans in the 39th over for 60.

In fact Ashdon’s final total of 194, was largely down to some late order hitting by Bartram who scored a doughty 33 not out at the end.

All of the Beach’s bowlers contributed and Fowler will be very pleased with his farewell figures of (3-43).

In normal circumstances Ashdon’s score would be considered at least 50 runs short on such a good pitch, however the Beach’s collective batting had been very poor and achieving any score was proving a challenge.

In reply the Beach got off to yet another poor start with opener Sumner bowled by PSalt for a duck. Salt then began to pose problems for all the Beach batsmen, as he bowled with good pace and regualrly nipped the ball away from the right hander. Salt also picked up the wicket of Apps (14) well caught at slip.

A strong partnership then developed between Fowler and Evans who started to score freely. In fact it was a suprise when the partnership had produced 70, that Fowler (45) was bowled by Noakes.

However this was only a temporary hiccup. Evans and Daniel Hanna who had both been out of form began to score very heavily and really started to tuck into the Ashdon bowling which began to wilt under the weight of shot in the heat.

Evans finished on a very pleasing 86 not out and Hanna recorded an undefeated 42. the vctory target being reached with 13 overs remaining.

For Ashdown the pick of the bowlers was P Salt with (2-41).

High Beach will now be keen to build on their success with their debry game against Theydon Bois next week.