Author: Michael James

This game meant a lot to me, as I used to play for Hartley Country Club and my good friend John Harley did do, who unfortunately is no longer with us. I wasn’t originally selected to play, but was asked after a drop out. 

It was an important game for us, as we could still be relegated, and there was a bit of atmosphere, due to scoring issues here only a couple of weeks ago. 

It was a lovely sunny September day, and we were to field first, good early spells by Ejas Deane and Omar Farhid restricted Hartley. 

Whilst fielding I dived for a ball, which I missed and when I got up, I felt in a lot of pain in my right shoulder, something didn’t feel right, but I carried on fielding. 

Hartley middle order was strong and despite good bowling and fielding, they reached 200. 

In reply, James Water and Ejas Deane gave us a strong solid platform, despite a hostel bowling spell and reached 20 overs 100-0 

James fell soon after, but Ejas carried on and reached a very good century, and we won by 8 wickets with 6 overs to spare and relegation saved. 

Hartley Country Club 200-7 of 40 overs (Chris Turvey 65*, Andy Dent 54), lost to Speldhurst 204-2 of 34.1 Overs (J Waters 36, E Deane 101*) by 8 wickets.