Wargrave sink to another defeat.

On Saturday Hurst, as their league position proved, were too powerful for Wargrave, who let themselves down in more respects than one.

Hurst won the toss and batted, losing their first wicket to a bizarre Run Out, backing up, the ball having been deflected onto the stumps by the bowler with the batsman out of his ground. The second wicket fell at 59 bringing together the Smith brothers who batted sensibly and well adding 111. They demonstrated the ability to accumulate without taking risks and were separated only when Greg was brilliantly caught by Neal diving forward for 72

Wargrave spread their field during the later overs and wickets fell at regular intervals as Hurst tried to up the run rate. Neal was the main beneficiary who by varying his pace and delivery took 5-50 including Lewis Smith playing on for 63.

At one stage a much higher score than the final total of 234-9 could have been anticipated but later events proved this to be more than enough.

Wargrave had not learnt from the dedicated methods of the Smith brothers and after a slow but steady opening the top order collapsed to 30-4, all to aggressive and perhaps unnecessary strokes not dictated by the position of the game. In Phil Higgs and Lewis Smith Hurst have two of the best spinners in the league against whom rash strokes proved fatal. Neal and Ricky doubled the score by playing each ball on it's merits, as did Dan and Tom, but none of them lasted long enough to either force a draw or challenge the required total.

Alex played a unique innings in the circumstances, 33 at over 2 runs a ball, but by the time he entered the fray at number 9, all was virtually lost. His position showed how strong on paper the Wargrave batting was, and even against good bowling they should have achieved more.

The players, who were hopefully feeling disappointed with their performance, left the ground immediately the game finished - it would have shown respect to the home team if a few had stayed for a drink with their opponents.

The next match away against Henley will again be tough and Wargrave must perform to their proven ability against strong opponents.