Ley Hill v Great Kingshill, Saturday 26 April 2003
Tom Holman
Ley Hill crashed to a heavy eight-wicket defeat to Great Kingshill in a
run-filled first game of the season.
Hill were hit by the last-minute withdrawal of star batsman Andy Rennard,
suffering from SARS-like symptoms. Fortunately his replacement Rob Viney
proved to be more than adequate and a good deal quicker between the
wickets. Opening up with skipper Jon Lown, Viney raced to his fifty with a
fusillade of boundaries all around the park. He went on to post a
magnificent 151 not out at better than a run a ball as Hill reached a
stunning 255 for 2. Lown chipped in with 34 and Chris Jones raced to a
whirlwind 36 before some diabolical calling led to a run-out, but it was
Viney who stole the show with clinical hitting.
But if Great Kingshill's bowling was something of a buffet affair, then
when their chance came to bat they found the buffet to be free, all you
can eat, and with extra pies. "Spinner" Ian Birkett opened with a
succession of slow throws that were dispatched over the road as Kingshill
got off to a flier. Rob Thompson fared better with some tight medium pace,
but Paul Green, Ian Stewart and golden boy Viney were unable to stop the
flood. Both Kingshill openers raced to centuries before retiring to let
others fill their boots. Martin Leadbitter, claiming his first victim in
about 10 years, did restore some pride towards the end, but Kingshill
coasted home with three overs in hand.
Ley Hill: 255 for 2 (Viney 151*, Jones 36, Lown 34)
Great Kingshill: 256 for 2 (Hallatt 100 ret., Wicks 101 ret.)
Ley Hill lost by eight wickets
Man of the match: Rob Viney for magnificent clean hitting in a chanceless
ton
Clown of the match: Jon Lown for agreeing to a limited overs game
requiring four bowlers when the team was packed with pie chuckers