WINNING HAUL FOR SPIN LEFTIES

Conditions were fine on Saturday when the visitors won the toss and took first use of a decent wicket but they never made the most of this advantage after losing two wickets for only 15. Broadwater's opening attack of Joe Middleton and Fitzroy Hodges gave little away and were well supported in the field.

While opener Kevin Chamberlain dropped anchor, Simon King briefly threatened with some pleasant strokes but wickets continued to fall as Thurston and Timms kept the stranglehold. Chamberlain saw eight partners return to the pavilion before completing his half-century.

When a fine throw from Timms finally ended his vigil, he had faced 135 balls in scoring 51. It was slow, but in the circumstances understandably so. Thurston took two for 44 in 15 accurate overs. Timms, wheeling away exactly as he's been doing for the last 25 years, finished with four for 26, and scarcely bowled a loose ball.

Lindfield were all out for 142 in 47 overs. It appeared 30 or 40 runs below par, and the home side must have been well satisfied with their work in the field.

It had become distinctly cooler when Broadwater began their reply, and fieldsmen pulled on a sweater or two. Richard Luker and Bob Reynolds put on 57 for the second wicket before Luker was stumped, possibly with an anxious eye on the approaching rainclouds. Lightning zigged and zagged across the sky, and soon the rain drove the players from the field.

It relented just in time for Broadwater to knock off the remaining runs. Reynolds made a typically sound 40, but at 104 for five the visitors had just a sniff of a chance.

Ben McKenzie (20 not out) and Hodges (21 not out), however, saw the home side home with some lusty blows.

See The Herald for a report of Broadwater's Invitation League Cup match with Goring.