WITH only one win in nine the words 'must win' and 'relegation' were, if not on the lips, then certainly on the minds of the Lewdown players. A difficult visit to Uplyme and Lyme Regis was earmarked as a point of no return — lose and they could just about write off any chances of staying up, win, and the ball was definitely back in their court. This was the time for heroes, and for Lewdown, Ade Clements and Phil Yeo were just that. Winning the toss, captain Dave Ball, slowly growing into that position of responsibility, decided to field first on a wet wicket, under water only 24 hours previously. Tight opening spells from Toby Street and Adee Edmonds tied the home side back, with regular wickets falling, but with the ball turning and the batsmen looking to take the game to Lewdown, the ball was tossed to Ade Clements. His consistent turn and confident flight bore fruit early in his spell, and this continued for his 12 overs, finishing with figures of 5 for 19 and Lewdown had Uplyme 155 for 9 after the 46 overs. After tea, an aggressive bowling attack tried to dominate the Lewdown batsmen. Having scored 266 the previous match and lost, things were not looking good for Lewdon when, from a start of 42 for none, they found themselves 46 for 4. Skuse, C Weeks, Street, and Ball all going cheaply, with the only ones to trouble the score being A Weeks, Mevan – Lewdown's overseas player for this term from Sri Lanka and on the back of his first ton for the club against Dartington – and Giddins. However, the innings belonged to Yeo. Lacking previous time on the square he dominated the bowling, batting confidently and playing proper cricket shots. With the score nearing the total and with hearts in mouths and fingernails bitten on the side line, Yeo played one shot too many, but a fumble in the field allowed him to carry on. He and Charlie Hughes saw the away side home with 6 overs to go, Yeo finishing unbeaten on 56 and Hughes on 11. The season is far from over for Lewdown. In fact for this young side it is only just beginning.
