Batting cost victory in last over cliffhanger for Vine

Sevenoaks Vine’s 1st XI, buoyant from their opening league win last week, entertained Lordswood on Saturday but could not repeat the dose and lost a cliffhanger in the last over.

The Vine lost their second toss out of two and again were asked to make first use on a pitch with a tinge of green. Unlike last week, the Vine’s dominant batting line up found it tricky against a determined visiting attack. Only Mike Barber (82) managed to get on top of the Lordswood attack. He was let down somewhat by his colleagues as most got in and got out in careless fashion leaving the Vine to defend an under-par 205.

Lordswood, missing some of their regular stars scraped home with 2 balls to spare thanks to their Captain and talisman Chris Piesley (69) and cameos from Ed Taylor (42), and Michael French (31). The Vine bowlers, tried hard in vain to get on top but the target always seemed within reach for the visitors and so it proved. Chris Vernon continued his impressive start to life as a Vine Allrounder taking 3-36 and James Carslaw was in good form returning 2-30. 

The Vine batting ultimately cost them victory on Saturday and the season rolls on this week with an away match against reigning Premier Division Champions Blackheath.