Skipper Thomas finally won a toss and on a green but hard Swanmead wicket elected to bat first.

With Scotty promoted to opening with Smithy, Cowdrey started quickly, 7 off the first over, 47 off 6 and after the first 9 overs they had bludgeoned their way to 73 without loss. But a double bowling change swung things Linden Park's way. Firstly, Scotty had been tied down by Waterfield and Reed and was out LBW walking across his stumps for a powerful 33. This brought Inzy to the middle and, when Smithy was short of his crease calling Inzy through for a leg bye, Cowdrey were now 2 down. This was soon 3 as Inzy was out plumb LBW. Cowdrey had collapsed from 76 without loss to 76-3 in 4 balls. Hoody and Thomas were now at the crease and they tried to restore order and steadied the ship for 6 overs before Thomas was adjudged LBW off Reed. Harbour joined Hoody and looked shaky when Hoody skied a big shot and was caught, again off Reed. Cowdrey now 98-5 off 20. After a rapid start the Linden Park bowling of Waterfield and Reed had turned the game around.

Young Mark Murray joined Harbour and they weathered the storm until Murray hit 14 off Reed's 7th over and started a Cowdrey counter attack. They continued to play their shots and run well between the wicket, putting on 60 on in the next 10 overs. Waterfield continued to bowl well from the Hadlow end but changes from the railway end weren't working, with Murray bringing up his 50 and the hundred partnership. But then Belivanis got the breakthrough, Murray going for one too many big shots and was well caught by the bowler. AB in next and after playing out 3 dot balls called through for a very tight, unlike AB single, Harbour diving to just make it in.

As earlier in the game, 1 wicket brought 2, Harbour skying a catch, gone for 49. Jug avoidance! Then young Leo gone LBW (take pity Pete he's only half a person) But Harbour and Murray had done their job, restoring Cowdrey's hold on the game, up to 220-8 off only 40 overs.

The Cowdrey task now was to keep scoring but not to give Linden Park any overs. Rooney had joined AB and they played well, putting on 40 in 9 overs, which included a massive Rooney 6 pulled nearly into the driving range. But Rooney went next over for a valuable 18 and, when AB was bowled in the last over, the Cowdrey innings closed on 261. An excellent effort and no overs were forfeited. They did have their luck though with 6 grounded catches, 4 against Rooney alone, and 39 extra, byes winning on 26.

After arguably the best tea anyone will see all season, Cowdrey took to the field pumped up to get early Linden Park wickets. And that's exactly what they did. All rounders opened the bowling from both ends and it was Murray who took the vital wicket of keeper Sholtz, caught Inzy for a quack. After scoring 168 the week before Cowdrey knew that was important. And in the next over Marsh had skipper McGregor caught and bowled for a golden, 2 down for not many. This soon turned to 4 down, Murray bowling Davis after roughing him up with a short delivery, and Marsh had Shotton LBW. Cowdrey right on top. Murray continued to bowl well and, after Linden Park staged a short revival, he had Morkel caught by Inzy for 15. Murray ended his spell with 3-23 off 7 and was replaced by Geoff Connolly. He started how Murray finished, bowling Priatt with the first ball of his spell. Reid joined Scott-Ham who was still looking to get one off the square. Reed played aggressively knowing Linden Park only had the option of going for batting points, This was still a long way off but Cowdrey were helping with 17 wides in the innings, most from Marsh's last over. But he had bowled well 2-29 off and 11 and was replaced by Scott. Reed was hitting some big shots and just as the Cowdrey team started to lose focus, a piece of magic from skipper Thomas, diving forward to take a good reaction catch off Connolly. If he had had time to think about it odds on a drop. Again 1 wicket brought 2 and arguably a better catch by Bryant, diving 1 handed to his right to take the scalp of Belivanis, again off Connolly.

At the other end Scott removed McBride and Linden Park were 9 down for less than 80. Reed continued to play his shots moving onto 32 before Inzy had him caught midwicket with the 3rd ball of his spell, Linden Park all out for 90.

Cowdrey had put in an excellent all round display and, while Linden Park performed below their best, this was another excellent performance from Cowdrey, taking full 20 points. They visit Old Elthamians next week and need to put in a similar display to come back with some points.

ST