The Vine welcomed last season’s champions Tunbridge Wells for an important affair between the two at Orchard Field. Tunbridge Wells elected to bowl first on a soft wicket sending in openers Adams and Quinney. Some tight bowling from the Wells bowlers was thoroughly rewarded through the wickets of Quinney and then Coldman in quick succession.
A 70 run partnership between Adams (75) and Bevan-Thomas (15) solidified the Vine’s innings with runs becoming increasingly difficult to come by on a slow track. An acceleration in the last 10 overs mostly by P Robinson (29) and Boudville (23) coupled with numerous wide balls by Tunbridge Wells brought The Vine’s total to 210 all out after 49 overs.
Although the Vine became a fielder down due to an injury to Elliott, the defence of the total began brilliantly with Christie snicking off their opening batsmen first ball of the innings. He was then soon rewarded again smashing the off-stump of their other opening batsmen.
However, an 83 run partnership for the 3rd wicket damaged the Vine’s defence even though both batsmen had been dropped with the pitch beginning to flatten out as expected. With the Vine searching for an all important wicket, H Robinson made the break-through giving the Vine a glimmer of hope that they could get a result.
Once again, another solid partnership brought Wells within touching distance of 210 until Christie was reintroduced into the attack gaining his third wicket ending up with figures of 3-38. Yet, it was a hard day for the Vine bowlers who tried their upmost to gain something from the game, but with one less fielder proving to be a large difference, Wells reached the target only 4 wickets down with overs to spare.
The Vine have consequently dropped down the table to 7th place, however with a few wins this could all change going into the second half of the season.
