CHARLTON DOWN 150 (19pts) beat CHALKE VALLEY 38 (5pts) by 112 runs

CHARLTON Down romped to a 112-run home victory over Chalke Valley, bowling their opposition out for just 38, helped by heroics from brothers Matt and Dan Stevens.

Batting first, the hosts found runs hard to come by due an excellent opening spell from Chalke’s Dave White (2-16) who deservedly claimed both openers leg before as the score ticked to 34-2 after 12 overs.

Cameron Lucas and Sam Roles batted beautifully including some excellent running between the wickets until a rocket throw from the boundary from James Bundy saw Roles run out for 12 with the score on 59-3.

Another blossoming partnership between the impressive Lucas and Matt Stevens was brought to an end with the score on 77-4 when Andy Mercer produced a drifting yorker to remove Stevens for four.

As wickets fell at the other end Lucas (30) was playing cautiously with some exquisite drives through mid-off and an array of calculated sweep shots.

The reintroduction of Bundy (3-34) then saw him take three quick wickets as Charlton Down were reduced to 100-7.

All-rounder Javed Gill (21) then marshalled the lower order with great effect and it was left to captain Pete Tucker to run out 15-year-old Dan Stevens with a poor quick single call, as Charlton Down were bowled out for 150.

But when it looked like the game was in the balance at the interval, inspired bowling from Matt Stevens saw him claim his first fivewicket haul of the season.

Chalke Valley were dismissed in 16 overs after some excellent controlled bowling from the siblings.

Matt struck with his third ball to remove dangerous hard-hitting captain Andy Mercer leg before and brother Dan responded by yorking the stylish Dave Brown in his second over.

Matt then produced the ball of the day when Kev Monaghan was bowled by a ball that cut back to hit top off stump with the score on 20-3.

This soon became 26-7 as Dan (2-8) bowled Bundy and Matt (5-19) continued to tear through the Chalke Valley middle order, taking three wickets in an over and just missing out on a hattrick.

It was left for Roles (2-9) to snare the last two wickets and ensure an early finish.

Captain Tucker said: “Chalke Valley are a good team but our bowling was exceptional and the intensity of our fielding brought further pressure.”