STALBRIDGE SECONDS 175 (5pts) lost to CHARLTON DOWN 181-2 (20pts) by 8 wickets

A SCINTILLATING unbeaten 45-ball 100 from Sam Roles and a unbeaten partnership of 136 with Nick Voss (53no) helped Charlton Down to an emphatic eight-wicket victory over Stalbridge Seconds in County Division Two.

Stalbridge won the toss and chose to bat on a very hot afternoon but were soon in trouble when the superb opening bowling partnership of Matt and Dan Stevens soon had the Stalbridge batsmen in trouble.

Dan was unlucky not to claim a wicket with his swing bowling, however, Matt Stevens’ pace and bounce caused lots of problems as he struck three times in as many overs to reduce Stalbridge to 35-3.

This soon became 56-5 as Mark Homewood struck twice bowling Will and Matt Coleman, a further change of bowling saw James Pretty also strike twice which left Stalbridge struggling on 87-7.

An impressive fight back from Jordan Edmunds (83) and Tom Waggott, who added 71 runs when the game seem to be heading for an early finish.

The partnership was finally broken when Javed Gill had Waggott brilliantly caught-one handed by Jae Miller for 33 at mid-off high above his head with the score on 154-8.

Edmunds’ two-and-a-half hour stay at the crease came to a close when the spin of Nick Voss enticed him to give Mark Spurway a very high catch but his contribution had pushed the score to a respectable 170-9.

Toby Jeaves then had two lovely pull shots for boundaries before Gill snared Richard Brown leg before to close the innings on 175.

Charlton Down’s innings did not get off to the greatest start when Jae Miller was bowled for four with the score on 10.

Jack Eveleigh and Nick Voss both found the boundaries until Eveleigh was caught by Nick Ford one-handed for 15 with the score on 45-2.

Sam Roles then partnered Nick Voss for their superb partnership of 136.

Roles’ innings included 19 fours and two sixes, bringing up his 50 in 28 balls and his 100 off of 45 balls.

Drives through the covers were matched with well-timed pulls through the leg side.

At the other end, Nick Voss (53no) brought up his 50 in as many balls with a beautiful

cover drive.

The winning runs came in the 24th over and it was fittingly hit by Roles for a six, recording his first hundred of the season and claim Charlton’s second win of the season.

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