Lordswood 170 all out

Addiscombe 178 for 5 (40overs)

Addiscombe first XI's positive start to the season continued at the weekend with an away win against Kent County Premier League side Lordswood on

Saturday in a 40-over friendly.

Batting first on a seaming wicket, Matthew Crocombe and Ian Messom put on 21 before Crocombe (12) edged a catch in the sixth over.

David Liddermore maintained the rate of four per over with 12 boundaries coming from the next 20 overs.

Liddermore hit out, scoring a four and two sixes in four balls before an uncontrolled shot saw him depart just three short of his 50.

Addiscombe were now 114 for two after 26 overs. Young Australian Luke Cameron quickly fell to a mistimed pull shot.

Paul Slade in his first outing now supported Messom who reached his 50 (from 75 balls) in the 27th over.

Messom crafted 68 before going caught and bowled to Rollock. Slade and Jamie Lippett added another 24 vital runs when Lippett (15) was caught in the 39th over. Slade (15*) and Francis (1*) saw the innings out at 178 for 5.

In reply Lordswood's strong opening pair of McGrath and Gouldthorpe matched the run rate at four-an-over until McGrath was run out on 27 in the 14th over.

The chase continued until a brilliant stumping by

Crocombe off Francis did for Rollock.

A frustrated Gouldthorpe (50) then became Boudville's first victim as he went LBW in the 28th over with the score 132 for three.

With 47 needed from the last 12 overs the home side were still favourites but Slade and Boudville continued to nag the batsmen.

The spinner also claimed the scalps of Stock (24), Hussein (1), Cross (8) and Mayhew (3) finishing with five for 35 whilst Slade picked up a well deserved two for 10 from eight overs.

Next weekend sees the start of the Surrey Championship season with Addiscombe travelling to Woking and Horsell on Saturday May 3.

Addiscombe 158 for 5 (37.2 overs)

Linden Park 155 all out (41overs)

Addiscombe progressed into Round Two of the National Knockout competition with a comfortable win over Linden Park last weekend.

Linden Park took on Addiscombe's bowlers and crashed 57 runs from the first five overs.

Addiscombe managed to tighten things up and bowled them out for 155 all out from 41 overs. Barry Lineker took three for 8 in five overs. Nick Francis also took three wickets.

The home side's innings got off to a steady start as Crocombe and Stevens put on 39 for the first wicket. Stevens (10) fell to Anson before Crocombe and Liddemore added another 31 for the second wicket.

Crocombe (39) and Liddemore (15) were accounted for by Baldock and Ian Messom found only temporary support from Lineker (four) and Poulton (nine).

With the score on 106 for five after 30 overs the run rate still needed to improve.

Joined by Francis, Messom took the attack back to the bowlers with a powerful six and four boundaries.

Addiscombe reached their target of 158 for 5 from 37.2 overs with Messom (40*) and Francis (13*) unbeaten.

The second round will see Addiscombe travel to Lewes Priory on May 11.

April 30, 2003 12:30