Mainstone v Walkham Valley IN glorious weather, Walkham Valley paid their first visit to Mainstone for a midweek fixture. Batting first, Walkham soon lost Kevin Baxter run out for 3, and Rich Berry also departed cheaply. James Vincent rallied the side with some hefty blows, with Tim Baxter at the other end keeping things ticking over until he was undone by Keith Carter for 9. Roger Smith came and went quickly for 7, bringing James Hills to the wicket. Vincent?s adventurous innings came to an end when he retired unbeaten on 25 with 5 boundaries. J Berry joined Hills who opened his shoulders to the tune of three fours and a six to retire on 25. Berry and Chris Spreadbury then accrued seven boundaries, before both fell in quick succession for 24 and 22 respectively, leaving Bill Tynan and Ken Kay to rustle up another dozen runs between them before the innings closed on a healthy total of 142 for 6. For Mainstone, Les Mitchell had 1 for 16, Steve Conn 1 for 7, Keith Carter 1 for 5, Kevin Smalley 1 for 8 and Chris Conn 1 for 10. Wickets fell early in the Mainstone innings as Tim Baxter and Roger Smith accounted for the openers, Kevin Baxter catching the dangerous Kevin Smalley off his son?s bowling. The father and son combination worked again when the equally capable Keith Carter fell to an outstanding catch by Chris Spreadbury off father Ray. Newcomer Rob held the fort for the home side with some classy offside shots, but lost another partner who chased a wide from Graham Vincent only to be snapped up at cover by J Berry. Steve Conn provided some backbone as he and Rob strove to right the ship. Rob retired unbeaten on 25 and Colin Hawk helped Conn with the repair job before Conn was castled by James Vincent for 24. Colin Hawk was ably assisted by Trevor Edwards as they tried to close on the Walkham score, but Edwards was run out and Hawk retired on 25. The tail was left with too much to do in too few overs and the innings subsided to a score of 124 for 9, 18 runs short. Walkam?s bowling honours went to Tim Baxter with 2 for 4, Roger Smith 1 for 9, Graham Vincent 1 for 19, Ray Spreadbury 1 for 9, Bill Tynan 1 for 9 and James Vincent 1 for 5. Sharp fielding accounted for some good wickets, including two run-outs.
