Amport II v Wilton.

After losing the toss Amport were surprised to be asked to take use of what looked to be a fine batting track with the usual lightning fast outfield.

Openers Dan Cartridge and Martin Randall got off to a fast start and Cartridge in particular was looking back to his fluent best as he stroked the openers through the covers. At the other end Randall was showing signs of returning to form with some well judged strokes. Drinks came and went and Randall started to increase the tempo with consecutive lofted straight drives off the spinner.

The century stand came up in the 21st over and in the midst of a controversial not out run out decision Cartridge (53) reached a well earned 50.

With the dust not yet settled Randall then edged to slip for 35 and was given an uncalled for send off.

From then on the innings failed to capitalise on the opening stand. Cameo knocks from Martyn Startup and Jack Kent helped boost the total, but wickets then fell at regular intervals for the rest of the innings. The final wicket falling in the chase for the extra batting point in the final over, leaving the hosts 197 all out.

Kent opened and took the first wicket, and produced the kind of spell the club captain would be proud of. Bowling unchanged he ended up with figures of 10-4-18-1 with his first six overs only costing three runs.

At the other end Sam Birks also strangled the run rate and collected two wickets courtesy of catches by Matt Whitwell and Cartridge.

With Amport on top the key was to break the fifth wicket partnership. The Wilton opener and captain moved the score on from 50-4 into the 90s and with 110 required off 16 overs a tight finish looked to be in prospect. Skipper Darren Goacher had other ideas. Despite his first ball being hit out of the county his guile induced the opener down the track and to see David Russell complete a much needed stumping.

From then on the wiles of Goacher and the return to form of Tom Startup (2-40) saw the Wilton reply go into free fall. Goacher again proving that he knows when to bowl himself by ending up with 5-30.