NEWLAND hosted Chainwire in this WCL Division Five encounter, this time with 11 men, but still had to settle for another winning draw as Chainwire hung on with only one wicket remaining.

NEWLAND v CHAINWIRE

Newland won the toss and elected to bat. The Chainwire opening bowlers were getting extravagant swing meaning Freeman and Genever struggled to put bat to ball. However, the Newland openers ensured they kept their wickets intact and despite the slow start, steadily built a good partnership.

This week it was Steve Freeman who took the attack to the bowlers and after taking eight overs to get off the mark was scoring freely, constantly straight driving the bowlers back to the fence. Chris Genever gained confidence and he too was stroking the ball well as the partnership flourished.

Freeman was first to his 50 with yet another straight driven four and then Genever took 16 off an over to bring up his own 50 and then proceeded to bludgeon the ball to all parts.

Kirby-Davies extracted some revenge by uprooting Genever's off stump for an excellent 69 after an opening partnership of 147. Freeman then took up the attack but he became Kirby-Davis' (2-51) next victim for a superb 70.

The attack was continued by Beavan and White, who added a scintillating 82 runs in eight overs. Meese (2-51) gained some revenge to dismiss Beavan for 50 whilst White remained unbeaten on 43no to set Chainwire the challenging total of 267 for victory.

Chainwire set about the task on the back foot as the opening burst from Rock and the resurgent Metcalfe had them struggling for runs. Chainwire were reduced to 40-4 but then a sparkling partnership of 100 changed the complexion of the match.

Kirby-Davies struck out mightily and, aided by the equally powerful Paddock, the pair took Chainwire beyond the asking rate. Spiers extracted some revenge when he dismissed the dangerous Kirby-Davis for a rapid 66 and then Richard Genever (2-29) struck to uproot Paddock's off stump for a valuable 31. It was now a case of could Newland winkle out the batsmen or would Chainwire hang on.

Meese, the Chainwire batsman sent mixed messages and it took yet another cracking catch from Addison to have him trotting back to the pavilion for 36, Rock (2-44) struck again and Chainwire were seven wickets down.

At this point the new league rule of 12 overs per bowler worked against Newland and it was left to Beavan to secure the win, unfortunately he failed despite gaining an excellent run out and then dismissing Hyam in the final over.

Chainwire saw out the remaining balls and Newland had to settle for a winning draw after yet another superb batting display.