Elephant?s Nest v Walkham Valley

THE weather relented briefly on Thursday to allow Elephant?s Nest to host Walkham Valley for the first time on their new ground.

The visitors batted first and James Hills continued to demonstrate his class with another fine innings, accruing 27 before retiring.

Chris Spreadbury?s sharp eye saw him to yet another good score as he variously thumped and stroked 24 runs before being run out.

The hosts then produced a spell of bowling and sharp fielding which dried up the runs to a mere trickle as Ancil, Cleaver, B Neale and Dent proved almost too difficult to get away.

Walkham Valley could only scrape together 20 runs off the final 10 overs, finishing with a modest 87 for 6.

It seemed as if even that lowly total might be enough when, after four overs, Elephant?s Nest were struggling with one wicket down for only ten runs.

Hills and Richard Berry both bowled with accuracy and venom, conceding only four runs apiece in their allotted spells.

Hills removed B Neale, but opportunities were squandered in the field.

Then Radcliffe and T Murray asserted themselves against mediocre bowling, Radcliffe plundering five fours in his excellent 26 not out, and Murray (15) falling to a run out as a ferocious straight drive from Radcliffe was tipped onto his stumps by Chris Spreadbury.

The onslaught was briefly staunched as Ray Spreadbury and Sandy Ralph restored a modicum of discipline to the attack, but the outcome was never in doubt as T Neale and S Murray knocked off the remaining runs.

Elephant?s Nest made the required total with more than three overs to spare.