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KENT V HAMPSHIRE
After heavy overnight rain it was doubtful if the game between Hampshire and Kent would take place. As the rain stopped at 8.30a.m. optimism reigned and Hampshire made the journey to Tonbridge. A strong wind and intermittent sun helped to dry out the playing surface. Kent won the toss and put Hampshire in to bat. Hampshire found conditions difficult especially against the Kent opening bowlers who kept the run rate very low. In the 9th. over Neil Blackey was caught behind for 7 with 24 runs on the board. Geoff Owen and Martin Hall batted with determination and put on 50 before Owen was unfortunately run out for 43. Mickey Swain tried to increase the run rate but was caught for 9. Brian Hart and Martin Hall accelerated the run rate with good running between the wickets with a partnership of 53 when Hart unluckily played on for 30. Another hapless run out saw the end of the anchor innings of Hall for 57. Jim Smallbone and Stuart Hicks put on a valuable 37 to bring the total to a respectable 192 for 5 despite the breaks for heavy showers.
In reply a drying wicket helped the Kent batsmen to achieve a better run rate but once again the excellent bowling of John Hall (9-1-18-4) and Stan Rudder (9-0-32-0) made its mark. Hall dismissed the opening bat in the 5th. over for 2 and again struck in the 11th. over to dismiss the usually prolific Breed for only 7. When Stuart Hicks (9-0-38-2) came on in the 20th. over he immediately removed Millen who had made 42. Scott was then stopped in his tracks by the guile of Gil Collins (5-0-31-2). Kent’s chances of winning gradually faded as a result of the excellent catches from Mickey Swain and Martin Hall together with the very good spells of bowling from Smallbone (9-1-24-1) and Hicks, aided by Swain (4-0-22-0) and Collins. The exceptionally good bowling of Hall’s final over in which he took 2 wickets finished the Kent challenge. They completed their 45 overs, 13 runs short of the target at 179 for 9.
By winning this top of the table clash Hampshire, still undefeated, go forward to the final of the over 60’s championship to be held at Copdock, near Ipswich, on Tuesday 9th. September. It was an all round very good team performance.
Pat Hart – Scorer.
Scoreboard
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