Touring side Alkham travelled on their way back from Worthing to Dover to stop and play a Clive Vale side improving but still looking for victory since the first game of the season.

After being put into bat in gale force winds and Clive Vale desperately searching for heavy bails, returning Vale player Paul Fagan showed what he could do with a promising 29 before losing his wicket to the impressive Rob Mitchell 3-53. As in the game at Sidley this brought together Adam Wickens (36) and Carl brook who put on their second 100+ partnership of the season. This helped Vale reach an innings score of 200+ for the first time with the highlight being Carl brook scoring his first ton of the season 108.

In reply skipper Darren Mortimer clearly told his bowlers to bowl straight with the the sight of Carl Brook keeping wicket. However it was not long until the first bye was conceded. With the wind blowing strongly in 1 direction the fight to bowl from the road end was eventually won by Steve Brook. Was this due to him being the best bowler or is it just that he is the biggest bloke in the team? I will leave it up to you to decide. However he did not fail as gave Vale an excellent start by taking 4-15 off 13 overs including a stunning one hand catch of his own bowling that did save the local council rolling the wicket next week. With bowlers struggling to bowl at the other end it was a bonus to see wickets taken by Martin Deaves, Gerald White and Adam wickens (1 each).

With Alkham players still celebrating the victory in the casino the night before and probable lack of sleep, only 2 players reached double figures Nicholas Clarry (14) and Tom Bird (10) so Vale continued to take wickets and with skipper Darren Mortimer deciding it was his turn to bowl with the wind came back to take 3-3 off 6.1 overs to seal a comfortable victory by 123 runs. The winning wicket was a diving one handed catch by stand in wicket keeper Carl brook but knowing him well he won't tell this story to any of his fellow players during the season.

So Clive Vale complete their second victory of the season and would like to thank Alkham CC for choosing to play Vale on their return to Dover. This was a very enjoyable game played in good spirit.