Nuthurst not at the Races as Stowting win in a Canter

Match report scribed by our very own Charlie South

So another year and another Nuthurst CC tour begins with a return to the ground that saw Bob witness "the best batsman he'd ever seen!" only a year before.

Stowting is a delightful setting in the middle of the Kent countryside and a really pleasant place to pay cricket.
Keith Greenwood was captain for the day and on losing the toss Nuthurst were in the field as Stowting looked to set an imposing target.

It wasn't until the 12th over that Nuthurst finally broke the opening partnership, Raggy having Christie caught behind for 30. Two more quick wickets fell and at 66 for 3 there was a glimmer of a chance to restrict Stowting to a manageable total. This glimmer was swiftly extinguished a stand of 58 took the score to 124 for 4 and although another wicket fell on the same score this only succeeded in bringing Bob's nemesis from last year to the crease. Graham then went about taking the game away from Nuthurst with an outstanding example of batting, "day-tripper" Nick Sherlicker replacing Bob, as Grahams "bunny", as he was plundered for 24 off his one over. Graham finished 81 not out, following an interesting last over, cunningly bowled by Chippy, leaving Nuthurst with daunting total to chase of 237.

Fortified by the first cricket tea of tour Jonny Willis and Nick Sherlicker went out the run chase in positive fashion with an opening partnership of 77. Following Nicks departure for a well made 27, wickets started to fall. Jonny went fourth down for an excellent 79. Raggy provided some late middle order resistance finishing undefeated on 26, however a series of unfortunate run outs saw Nuthurst fall away to 175 all out. Whilst a good tight game Nuthurst were left to rue the number of dropped catches, an affliction that blighted all their tour matches this year.

However spirits were revived with the Nuthurst "Race Meeting" that followed. Races on the flat and over fences saw Jonty pull a fetlock in the first race, which left Jezza to show his running prowess at the tender age of 93 to dominate proceedings, aided by Raggy's spectacular fall at "Beechers Brook".

So the tour moved on to Eastry.........