Holmesdale 1st XI’s home match against Dartford was abandoned due to rain after just 10 overs with the visitors on 28-0. They will go again this weekend away to Hartley Cricket & Country Club, a rematch of a fixture the two teams played in the Premier Division last year, before they were both relegated.
Holmesdale 2nd hit 222 against local rivals
Holmesdale ended the 2nd XI Premier League derby against the Vine on top before the game succumbed to the weather and had to be abandoned.
The Vine won the toss and elected to field but did not get the early wickets they were hoping for as Holmesdale openers Ed Bonner (55) and Max Melbourn (19) put on 75 for the first wicket. Ed Bonner looked in particularly great touch as he laced numerous cover drives to the fence. However, both fell in quick succession to the bowling of Michael Thompson (3-32), as did Joel Kovoor. Vine skipper, Piers Robinson (2-34), then had Brown caught behind which left Holmesdale 96-4 at drinks. Dale skipper, Mike Bryant (48), and the returning Ben Earl (32) steadied the ship, putting on 70 for the fifth wicket, mixing calculated aggression with stoic defence. When Ben Earl departed flashing at a wide one off Boudville, Alex McCann (9) joined Mike Bryant, but he and Rich Linfield were both castled by James White (2-41) within the space of two balls. Mike Bryant and Richard Holliday took the score past 200, but both succumbed to the bowling of Alex Christie (2-43). Number 10 Sam Lovelock (8*) was able to guide Holmesdale up to 222 all out – an excellent effort in difficult batting conditions.
The Vine got off to a cracking start with the bat, with the openers putting on 50 for the first wicket off just 11 overs. Michael Barber (33) drove the ball expertly and he was ably support by Michael Thompson (21). However, when Max Melbourn (1-19) had Mike Barber caught behind and Sam Lovelock (1-8) bowled Thompson the tide quickly shifted in Holmesdale’s favour and huge pressure was being exerted on the Vine’s middle order. It was at this point when the rain started to fall even heavier than it had been all day and play had to be halted. An excellent effort by all concerned and honours spread evenly across the town
Holmesdale 3rd make it two out of two
Holmesdale 3rd XI made it two wins from two with a convincing 9 wicket victory at home to Orpington 4XI at a very damp St Lawrence Ground.
After winning the toss and unsurprisingly electing to bowl first it was Lewis-Davies who got Holmesdale off to a great start taking 3 early wickets. Key contributions from Hobson and Loughnane along with two runouts saw Orpington succumb to 91 all out.
With rain on the horizon Holmesdale got their batting performance off to a shaky start with Luthra departing for 0. However, there wasn’t anything to be concerned about as Hart (30*) and Blackaby (58*) saw Holmesdale Home within 16 overs.