Wargrave v Harpsden - Report

Asked to bat first by their visitors, Wargrave openers Jerry Smith and Dave Jeary began in a circumspect manner which was befitting of the difficult conditions. Jeary was the first fall for 9 to the bowling of left arm seamer Ed Birkett, who then followed up with the wicket of Michael Hattey in the next over. Smith and new batsman Ken Clark set about rebuilding putting on 70, before Clark fell for 29 with the score on 100 from 28 overs. This dismissal brought the returning John Rimmer to the crease and, having been dropped second ball, set about dismantling the visiting bowling. Smith fell for 55 and, after some huge hitting, Rimmer fell for 57 before some lower order runs allowed Wargrave to close on 198-5 from their 40 overs.

After tea, Wargrave's new ball pair of Jack Clark and Scott Morton tore through the Harpsden top order reducing them to scores of 5-3 and then 34-6. It was only Will Stevens who offered any resistance initially with a well worked 41 in difficult conditions. With the game all but dead, Harpsden lower order batted valiantly without ever looking like reaching their target. Ed Birkett fell just short of a deserved half-century with his 49. Harpsden closed at 171 and the Sunday season was up and running.