For the second week running, Vale were left frustrated by a batsman scoring 80+ not out as umpiring decisions favoured the batsman.

Vale won the toss & decided to bat first on what looked a good batting pitch in perfect conditions. Unfortunately, that wasn’t how it played! The grass on the outfield was much too long & with the ball regularly coming through at ankle height, all the Vale batsman found it hard work to get the ball away & score quick runs. The opening attack of Barratt 1-21 & Turner 2-29 both off 10 overs did bowl well, as they reduced Vale to 2-9 off 6 overs, then 3-28 off 15 overs, before Darren Mortimer (35) & Adam Wickens (51) put on 73 for the fourth wicket off 18 overs, to help push the Vale score up to 125-6 in their full two & a quarter hours batting time. Extras did well with 22 & Andy Hayes (14) was the only other batsman to get in to double figures. Ulman bowled well at the death (2-14 off 3 overs) & the other wicket taker was Mann (1-26 off 4 overs).

In reply, Barratt (85no) was well supported by the umpires. Newble (12), Dinning (11) & Fryer (15no), to see the hosts home in just 26.2 overs. The highlights in the field were Jim’s spectacular attempted diving stop in to a sea of mud (make sure you wash those whites before next weeks game) & two great one handed catches by Andy Hayes & Guy Wenham off his own bowling (2-44 off 7.2 overs). The only other wicket taker for Vale was Ivan Buss 1-25 off 5 overs. Vale man of the match Wickens 0-29 & Mortimer 0-28 toiled away without success, but it just wasn’t to be and Vale were left to rue another match that got away.

Brede won by 7 wickets