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Ashling v Aldwick 5th June 2005 Nick Loubser 4 for 11, Matt Sleep 2 for 8, Chris Judd 38 Once again the wet
weather in the week meant that the outfield had not been
cut, and this combined with the light rain which fell in
showers throughout the afternoon contributed to the
slowest ground seen for some years in West Ashling with
the firmest of drives grinding to a rapid halt in the wet
long grass. Aldwick opted to bat first in what were
likely to be deteriorating conditions and quickly found
the damp wicket not much to their liking. Debutant
Matthew Sleep took two early wickets and Chris Judd
weighed in with another to leave the visitors struggling
at 16 for 3. Teague (20 not out) and Collyer (24) set up
an excellent fourth wicket partnership which briefly had
Ashling on the back foot, but once Collyer was trapped
lbw by Nick Jones the unfortunate Teague rapidly ran out
of partners with the last five Aldwick batsmen all
failing to score. In the circumstances no target could be
taken for granted, but Ashling set about their task
immediately with Dick Holden anchoring one end with the
big-hitting Chris Judd going in at number two. Dick went
for two runs and Colley (1) and Simmonds (0) were not far
behind him. CJ started getting the support he needed when
Ian King came to the crease, and while only scoring 7
runs occupied the crease allowing Chris to get his eye in
at the other end. Rob Lawrence (10) and Matthew Sleep
(13) continued the good work, and when Chris Judd
eventually holed out at mid off he had amassed 38 runs
and the game was as good as won. It was left to Matt
Sleep to hit the winning runs. Ten minutes later the rain
which had threatened all afternoon set in for the night,
but by then the Ashling side were in the Richmond Arms
reflecting on another job well done. |