On a lovely summer’s day at the Sir Mark Collet Pavilion, Kemsing hosted local rivals, Shoreham, hoping to maintain their unbeaten season and remain at the top of Division 3.
After last week’s debacle, the new Shoreham skipper, Harry Stacey, decided to field first after winning the toss, which certainly suited Kemsing. 93 runs later, he may have been ruing his decision, as his team celebrated taking the first wicket, that of Kemsing skipper, Graham Wood, for 47.
With contributions of 38 from Jake Wood and 43 from Damien Saville, on a firm wicket, which was keeping a little low because of the rain over the last couple of weeks, the Kemsing lower order, huffed and puffed and scampered around, getting the score to a very decent 199-8. The pick of the Shoreham bowlers was Archie Johnstone, who was pacey, and James Trick, who was supremely accurate.
Unfortunately for Shoreham, Kemsing had Sam Marshall back from University. He was rapid and accurate in the ‘Corridor of Uncertainty‘ outside off-stump and was very unlucky not to take a few wickets. Eight overs for 14 runs says it all. At the other end, the more sedate pace of experienced Mark Cooper was equally effective, as scoring was well nigh impossible. As Sam’s first spell finished, on came skipper Wood, who demolished the stumps with his first ball, with the score on 20. Cooper followed that with two wickets, finishing with 2-22 in nine overs.
Veteran Roger Shaddock replaced him and took three quick wickets to reduce Shoreham to 55-6. Kemsing then took the opportunity to spread the bowling around, as defeat was out of the question. However, a blistering knock of 46 by Ollie Smithies entertained the spectators, while number three, Gary Hukins, backed up his decent bowling with a defiant 49 not out. Kemsing won by 44 runs and are now 11 points clear of Marden in second place.
Kemsing are away at Bidborough on Saturday and at home to Stonewall Park the following week, as they reach the halfway point of the league season.
