Wingham has taken the lead in the Premier League cricket competition following their victory over United in a fiercely contested encounter at Chatham Park on Saturday.
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United were dismissed for 133 before Wingham lost eight wickets in the run chase. Wingham is the only undefeated side following Port Pirates loss to Wauchope.
It was a willing contest in which emotions spilled over at times with the constant banter resulting in a player from either side being reported for Code of Conduct breaches.
United began well with Matt Collier and Zac Sheather adding 27 on a wicket with an even covering of grass. Collier (9) was first to go when Josh McTaggart held a brilliant catch from Dave Rees bowling. Michael Rees was very attacking with his field placings, allowing Sheather and Murray McCartney to collect regular boundaries as they added 51.
Just prior to the drinks break Michael Rees brought himself into the attack with immediate effect, bowling McCartney with his first ball and having Sheather trapped LBW with his third. McCartney played an aggressive knock of 38, whilst Sheather added 24 as their side went to drinks on 3/81.
Burley was given a life on three when dropped in the covers before he and Ricky Campbell advanced the total to 119 when Ryan Smoothy bowled both Campbell (7) and Dean Mills (0) in the same over. Dave Rees had Ryan Yates caught in gully for a duck and then Burley caught behind for 35 to reduce United to 7/124.
Smoothy followed up with the wickets of Boyd (3) and Pin (2) before McTaggart completed the slump with the wicket of Witts for two to end United’s innings in the 36th over, having lost 6 for 13.
Smoothy turned in his best display in Premier League to snare 4/16 whilst Dave Rees picked up vital wickets with 3/36, passing 150 wickets for the club on the way. Michael Rees finished with 2/18 and McTaggart 1/9, whilst Steve Allwood (0/16) and Tim Rees (0/33) executed their rolls well.
Once again Michael Rees got away to a flyer, smashing three boundaries from Witt’s first over, including a cover drive that went like a tracer bullet. Rees put Sam Whitbread onto the road twice in his first over and hit another maximum from the first ball of his second, a cover drive that got no more that 3m from the ground.
Meanwhile, Tim Rees managed three boundaries of his own as the pair brought up their 50 partnership in the 5th over, one that proved to be Michael’s downfall. After a further boundary Rees again attacked Witts bowling only to sky a simple catch. He made 35 off 16 balls with three sixes and four fours. Unfortunately Witts released a volley of diatribe towards the outgoing batsman.
Sam Whitbread had Tim Rees caught for 15 in the following over and forced Ben Cole (2) to play on for Wingham to be 3/58.
Ryan Morris, promoted to number three, and Brock Hynes carried the score to 81 when Hynes attempted a big drive and was bowled by Burley for six.
Morris and Mick Stinson cautiously added 38 against tight bowling from Mills before Whitbread was re-introduced to the attack. He struck immediately, with umpire Hazell considering Morris having edged to the keeper. Morris batted beautifully in hitting six fours and a six in 41.
Stinson then holed out off Mills at the same score, 119, having made 10, bringing Dave Rees to the crease. He swept the next two balls to the boundary to bring Wingham within seven runs of victory.
Whitbread struck a double blow in bowling Hudson Bird and Smoothy, both without scoring, to set up a tense finish with Wingham requiring three to win and United two wickets. Rees and Witts then exchanged further pleasantries, forcing the umpires to intervene.
Englishman, Steve Allwood, faced Whitbread and added an international flavor by playing a perfect French cut to his first ball, the ball racing away to the boundary to secure Wingham victory. Dave Rees remained 12 not out.
Whitbread recovered well from his early treatment to snare five for 43 off eight overs.
Wingham is at home this weekend against the improving Taree West side.