A draw on a rather splendid day against the Island Bakers

This fixture had something for everyone as The Nutters hosted a game of two halves for our charming visitors from The Isle Of Wight.

Working around the kick off time for a rather crucial football match, an early start saw our visitors batting first.

With only 6 on the board, Marriott holed out to promising youngster, Miles Todman, in the covers. First blood then, to bowler, Keith Greenwood (4-0-21-1). Annis and Simmonds enjoyed a productive partnership of 41 before recent recruit, Simon Whitehouse made the breakthrough, having replaced Jeremy James. Simmonds was caught by Ekins foe 15. Weston (8-0-22-0) kept things tight, but failed to take a wicket. Greenwood caught a lofted shot to dispense with Spence and Whitehouse (5-0-17-3) cleaned out the top order when Charlie South held on to a sharp chance , dismissing Annis for 27.

Our second young player, Callum Whitehouse caught Wells (15) as pacey Rob Keen plied his trade. Argent looked dangerous and shared in three decent middle order partnerships. Mc Kew was c & b by Ash Nayee for 13. Jeremy James (10.3 -3-30-2) second spell accounted for S Reading, whose quickfire 29 had given the viitors hope of a score to defend. Raggi Singh bowled Argent (35) and McGuire (0) with Mc Hugh stranded on 0 not out and the toral 154 all out.

Tea was taken at lunchtime and the players decanted to Mannings Heath Golf and Wine Estate to take on liquid and support the England World Cup efforts. Having enjoyed a most exciting outcome it was back to work.

Nuthurst soon found themselves at 30-3 as Barton made early inroads. Guy Ekins (9) and Keith Greenwood (4) succumbing to identical dismissals, offering a gentle top edgeto the grateful fielding side. David Butcher (7)was subject to a run out after playing himself in nicely. Charlie South (27) and Raggi Singh steadied the ship until the latter marched down the wicket to Barton and was stumped for 18. Robbie Keen (7) became Barton’s 4th victim followed shortly after by Jeremy James for 4.

Injured Skipper, Bob Samways entered the fray and rotated the strike well on his way to 31 not out. South was bowled by Argent, bringing Callum Whitehouse to the middle. This young fellow is one to watch and looked very comfortable until being bowled by Reading. Miles Todman will go on to be a fine cricketer. It wasn’t to be his day, Again, it was Argent that ws the successful bowler and The Nutters found themselves at 112-9 with 10 overs to go and a defeat looming them in the face with just Weston to come.

Spinner, McGuire and Argent continued to offer little encouragement to the batsmen. Weston smote a few boundaries while the Skipper kept things moving. In the most unlikely of comebacks. The pair put on 42 for the 10th wicket, leaving Bob Samways on strike, requiring a boundary off of the last ball of the match. A tall order, with the fielding side all back on the boundary. A single was managed and The Nutters fell short of victory b 2 runs. Weston 27 not out and Samways 31 not out had scavenged a draw.

Once again, cricket was the winner.