NEWLAND travelled to Chainwire with only nine men and it was no surprise that an eight wicket hammering ensued in this WCL Division Five match.

CHAINWIRE v NEWLAND

Tolley won the toss and elected to bat and saw two of the top three depart for ducks. Only Freeman showed any resilience and he played the anchor role to perfection but also despatched the bad ball.

He found an ally in his skipper, Tolley was on the offensive and played a range of superb cover drives but his innings was all too brief and he departed for 26, the first of three wickets to fall on 51.

Freeman, still solid, now faced the dilemma of runs or crease occupation and opted for the latter believing the former would follow but he needed a partner.

Dave Rouse, with years of experience behind him, proved to be that partner. With nothing extravagant the pair added 66 runs in 20 overs, but Rouse's departure for 30 signalled the beginning of the end. Steve Freeman tried to shepherd the middle order (tail) through to the end, meantime passing fifty and securing a batting bonus point, but Newland were 137 all out with the Chainwire openers Meese and Horne both returning three wicket hauls and Steve Freeman 63no.

Any hopes Newland had rested in their ability to take early wickets, dropped chances again didn't help the cause.

A variety of bowlers were used but with so many gaps scoring wasn't difficult. Horne went for 19, Smith 17 to Genever and Rouse but with no bite in the attack Stuart (66no) and Paddock (32no) eased their side towards victory.

In desperation Tolley gave Freeman his first ever league bowl but despite demonstrating his array of slower, quicker and disguised mystery ball he couldn't prevent Chainwire getting an eight wicket victory.

There is always next week!