Darling Devastates Dinton!

Despite the weather trying its best to intervene, Cublington started their division 3 campaign on time against Dinton at the orchard ground. Winning the toss and choosing to take to the field, returning skipper Tomlinson was rewarded early, with Tom Darling taking the wicket of Smith LBW in just the 5th over.

More was to come from the superb Darling, as he bowled Brendan Gough (son of legendary England bowler Darren) in his fourth over before his opening partner Ollie Fairhurst had the dangerous Massey trapped LBW for 8 runs in the next. What followed in the 9th over was a single handed demolition of the Dinton middle order by the talented Darling, removing Kelloway, Tomlin and Davies in a single over of class seam up bowling.

Reeling at 31 for 6, Dinton looked a beaten side just 9 overs into the match and when Ripley fell to a good catch behind the wicket off Fairhurst to make it 53 for 7, Cublington were looking at an easy victory. However, as so often is the case, Cubs failed to deliver the killer blow allowing the lower order to accumulate significant contributions. Notably, Ollie Chaplin, who wintered with Cublington in the nets, contributed 37 from number 8 and Dinton skipper Neil Davis batted well for 28 not out from number 9. By the time spinners Jenkins and Sear mopped up the tail, Dinton had reached a semi respectable 119 runs all out.

The chase by Cublington was more eventful that it should have been with the loss of Kieron Sear early for 7. Greg Jenkins and the always retiring Stephen Godfrey (24) batted well to push cubs beyond 50 and subsequent minor contributions from Tomlinson (11) and George (15) supported Jenkins in his pursuit of the finish line, personally amassing 47 not out with the match winning innings. Cublington reached their target with the loss of 4 wickets. 25 points for Cublington then, at the start of a long summer campaign for re-election (topical…!) to Division Two