After a disappointing start to the season the 1st XI were looking to get back on track against Farningham. With the absance of captain Heatley and Vice Captain Roche, it was up to our kiwi Ben Fulton to skipper the side. Matt Lewis was also called up for his eagerly anticipated 1st XI debut to add some much needed pace to our attack.

Fulton made a bad start to his reign by losing the toss on a blustery day at Radfield Hill, and we were put in to bat. Larking & Taylor got the side off to a flyer making the oppositions decision look regretable. Coasting towards the 16 over drinks break we were 73 - 0 and looking untroubled. Then disaster struck with Taylor (44) and Fulton (0) falling in the penultimate over before drinks. Larking and Hampton looked to rebuild the innings but when Larking (30) drove straight to cover it was the start of the collapse. Alan Hampton, Lincoln Bryden, Ricky Dale, Leigh Cottrell and Matt Lewis all fell cheaply. It was left to Josh Hunt and Andrew Trigwell to get stuck in and give us something to bowl at. The two battled hard and were finally dismissed with just 6 overs to go, and got us to the 150 mark to pick up the second batting point.

With a modest total Captain Fulton would have to be inventive with his fields and use his range of  bowlers well.

We made a good start with Lewis proving he is ready for 1st XI cricket with a superb opening spell, and Barry Wood keeping the other end quite as usual. Lincoln Bryden also impressed on debut bowling with good control and variation. With a much improved fielding performance the game was hanging in the balance. A fine spell from Alan Hampton (O 12 M 3 R 26 Wkts 2) was keeping the pressure on. But in the end the modest total of 150 was just not enough. Farningham eventually reached the target in the 45th over just 5 wickets down.

We can take a few positives from the game, with a solid opening partnership, much improved bowling and fielding displays and especially the emergence of Matt Lewis who bowled with good rhythm and pace. We just needs that little bit of luck and the 1st win of the season will surely come.