On a very bleak day at Folkestone a full game was played despite the persistent threat from the grey skies. Folkestone won the toss and decided to field first in the hope that the very green wicket would provide some early assistance. However the inability of their opening bowlers to bowl any form of line and length negated any help there was.

Stuart Drakeley (87) and Neil Kimberley (115) put on 204 for the opening stand merely by punishing the frequent bad balls and running between the wickets very well. None of the bowlers could contain these two who made light of what should have been difficult conditions for batting. Although both were out in quick succession, Paul Steer (38 not out) and Stuart Sinclair (25 not out) took the score onto an imposing 300 for 3 after 50 overs.

Folkestone came out with very positive intent with both openers playing freely and going for their shots but both fell, one each to the opening attack of Ryan Minter (2 for 32) and Ben Clarke (1 for 26) who both showed what could be achieved by bowling with discipline. Wickets continued to fall with both Ben Cooper (2 for 21) and Stuart Drakeley (4 for 32) particularly bowling very well with the wet ball.
Unfortunately with the light too dark for the seam bowlers it was only possible to utilise the spin bowlers, when a quick blast from either Ryan Minter or the dangerous Justin McVicar would surely have ended the game.

The last pair batted sensibly and showed many of their top order what could be achieved with some application. Stuart Graham should receive particular praise for resisting solidly for his 61 not out.

Also special mention should be made of league debutant Josh Staunton, who at 14 years old, kept wicket superbly, taking 2 catches standing up to the spinners and shown what a bright future is ahead of him.

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