IN the overcast and occasionally drizzly conditions Walkham Valley took on Carval Computing at the Memorial Field on Sunday. Winning the toss, Carval invited the home side to bat first and soon reaped a reward when Graham Vincent fell to a catch off Stone, who shortly afterwards also snapped up James Vincent to a catch behind the wicket for two boundaries. James Hills, who had already managed a six and four, was then joined by Ken Kay in a partnership of 33 before Hills, having crunched another six and nurdled some quick singles, retired undefeated on 30. Newcomer Simon Ward then joined Ken Kay in another lengthy partnership, though with the lush, wet outfield, neither was able to profit from some ordinary bowling, so, eventually recognising the need for quicker runs, both perished in one over from Avent, Kay for 20, and Ward for 11. Kevin Baxter and David Wilson saw the writing on the wall and both hit out and got out, but added 20 useful, quick runs between them, bringing Tim Baxter and Rich Berry to the crease. This was what the doctor ordered as they plundered 40 runs in next to no time, Berry smiting two sixes and two fours before falling to Sharp for 27, and Baxter hitting a rapid 13 before he also went to Sharp. Tail enders Sandy Ralph and J Berry didn?t make much progress in the final two overs which yielded only 7 runs, with James Hill falling run out off the last ball for 31 to leave Walkham on 165 all out. Sharp was the pick of Carval?s bowlers with 3 for 23, Everett had 1 for 20, Stone 2 for 19, Avent 2 for 12, and Moule 1 for 15. With plenty of time and overs on their side, Carval got off to a very steady start with a partnership of 38 between Sharp and Stone, though the outfield served them the way it had the home team and some steady bowling by Tim Baxter, Rich Berry and Graham Vincent, who served up two maidens, also kept them honest. Both batsmen fell when James Vincent and James Hills entered the fray; Stone went to a catch by Hills off Vincent, then Hills caught and bowled Sharp, who had already been dropped three times, for 14. Everett and Avent also found runs difficult and Carval?s total of 65 off 20 overs was looking mournful when Everett fell to Ward for 13 and Avent to Hills for 7. This brought Roger Smith to the wicket and the sun came out for the visitors as he set about the bowling with gusto. He quickly lost partner Chris Sweby caught by Hills off Sandy Ralph, but that heralded the continuation of an onslaught as Jason Sweby hit and scampered while Smith was bludgeoning four of his team?s six boundaries, before retiring on 30. Sweby kept the run rate flowing as he was joined by Matt Eagle who smote a four but then fell to a catch by J Berry off Hills. Sweby?s gallant efforts had got Carval back on track, needing only 36 off the final 11 overs, but he then fell to a catch by Sandy Ralph off Tim Baxter. With plenty of overs and four batsmen left, the money was on Carval, but skipper Ralph played his aces by bringing back Baxter, Berry, Vincent and Hills for the remaining overs. Hills accounted for Dave Eagle and Mark Partington Smith, the latter caught and bowled, the former caught by James Vincent. Roger Smith?s return threatened to put the cat among the pigeons as he continued where he had left off, but when Moule was run out unnecessarily, Carval?s inning closed 13 runs short with more than 5 overs left, and Roger Smith undefeated on 34. Another nail biter, with Walkham?s front line bowlers making the difference. Ralph took 1 for 15, James Vincent 1 for 8, Ward 1 for 26, and Tim Baxter 1 for 15, but following his innings of 31 and three catches, Hills took the honours with 5 for 18. Hills alive indeed!
