Week 16 and back to the top of the table. After a couple of near misses, the 1st XI got back to winning ways with a good win over a Canterbury side fighting for their lives. In a close game the difference between the sides was the ever-green Karl Pearson who took the Sanlam Private Investments Man of the Match award for a jug-avoiding 98*, a catch and a wicket; the champagne moment was probably a stunning running and diving forward catch at deep mid off by Miles Richardson to break a potentially match winning 67 partnership and start the wickets tumbling again. A sprightly start by Ant Shales (29), in for the injured JB, a studious 43 by Fabian Cowdrey, and a quick fire 35 by Lorne Burns saw the Vine to 239, and not entirely safe. A wicket in Milos first over settled the nerves and Teeps was unlucky not to get a wicket, caught behind, with his first ball too, only for the batsman to eventually return to the pavilion and admit that he had hit it. Several Canterbury players got starts and Sam Lowry pressing on to 76 kept the visitors in the game until Milos stunning catch. The Vine ran out winners by 18 runs; with other games going our way our fate is in our hands once again. Next week Bromley away, who are also in a relegation scrap, for another tricky game. Cant wait. The twos were comfortable winners: benefiting from JBs voluntary injury demotion and another first-teamer, Tom Coldman; the spin twins bowled Dartford out for 120 (so a new pavilion doesnt help that much); JB taking 6-40 ad TC 4-20 with 4 catches for Dave Harkin. Skipper Mikey Thompson 69* and Ossie King 35 opened and got us within sight and we ran out winners in 27 overs. Old Oaks had a close fought game with the rugby club on Friday; rugby batted first by mutual negotiation and posted a very decent 113 in 16 overs; Smiffy and Gibbo hitting the top of off stump in their first overs and a wicket a piece for each other bowler. Senior Harkers and Practically-Perfectly-Paced-Paul Nash (recently coached by @FredBoycott) opened for the OOs and a quick fire 28* from Nigel Taylor set up a tense finish. PPPP retiring in the 14th over (25*) to let Gary Atkins, ex-Bromley 1st-teamer finish the game off. Lets hope that success isnt catching for Bromley next week!
Posted on: Sun, 24 Aug 2014 16:22:01 +0000