Thanks very much to Tom for the report this week:
After 3 weeks of rain affected matches, a sunny day in chiddingfold was a perfect reminder of cricket being a summer sport. With this being the first traditional format game of the season Tilford won the toss and asked Chiddingfold to bat first. With some tight bowling by Geoff Coombe (1-20) and Ben Matthews (1-11), the run rate was well under control with Chiddingfold keeping wickets in hand with a steady run rate throughout the majority of their innings. Some sensible low risk batting by Matt Barnett (55) allowed Chiddingfold to build on their innings with Cieran Spicer (48) taking more of the risk as the change bowlers took over.

After 37 overs with Chiddingfold just reaching 100 with 6 wickets in hand Tilford felt the run rate was well under control. Cieran Spicer with a large 6 towards the church set the tone for the remaining overs. After an eventful last over of the innings which involved 3 6’s and 2 wickets Chiddingfold ended their innings on 179 off 48 overs with 80 runs coming off the last 11 overs. Tilford shared the wickets around with the opening bowlers taking 1 wicket a piece, Jack Cantwell taking 2 wickets and Steve Scott with 3 wickets.

Tilford started their chase with a wicket falling in the first over with a moving ball from Paul Hundey. Chris Wilson (33) put on a standard performance with a gritty 33 off 81 which for the first 30 overs allowed Tilford to feel as if they were in with a good chance needing a run rate of just under 6 per over needed. With Chris Wilson falling to a very fine edge to which the bowler didn’t even appeal and Tom McKay (24) falling in the next over to the reintroduction of opening bowler Archie Spicer, Chiddingfold were making great strides towards taking control of the match. With some regular wickets and the shorter number of overs scoreboard pressure started to mount with Tilford being forced to settle for a losing draw. Some good bowling by Chiddingfold meant opening bowlers Paul Hundley and Archie Spicer finished with 3 wickets each and with Edward Doling and Paul Ward picking up 1 wicket each.