Hundred hero Horrocks

Having lost the toss for the third time in consecutive weeks, Bearsted were asked to bat first.

On a good batting surface and a fast outfield, Bearsted looked well positioned for a sizeable total, although the early exchanges suggested otherwise. Tim Croom (6) was caught on the mid wicket boundary, Allan Stroud (14) was part of a running but no calling mix-up with Simon Barker (36) whilst debutant, Danny Phillips (0) failed to show his capabilities.

At 77-4, Steve Horrocks joined Chris Filmer at the wicket and they produced a match winning partnership. Horrocks looked in fine touch from the start, and hit 14x4 and 5x6 in 117*, while Filmer started slower before accelerating in response to the heckling from the sidelines once he was past 50, eventually falling for an excellent 83. A 208 run partnership for the 5th wicket saw the 2s finish on 307/5, with Extras just one short of his 50.

Needing over 7.5 runs per over from the start, some tight early bowling from Ben Lush (3-44) and Harry Slevin (0-48) ended any hope for the visitors as the required rate constantly crept upwards. The bowling was shared around with wickets for Lee Harris (1-39); Allan Stroud (2-48) and Simon Barker (1-47) who removed the main Speldhurst batsman before developing the yips that brought a conclusion to his spell.

Speldhurst finished on 245/7 and Bearsted claimed a comfortable victory, thanks to the efforts of Steve Horrocks and Chris Filmer during the first innings of the match.