Arun secured their first win of the season after coming out on top in a thrilling run-chase away at Ferring.
 
With the Big Church Day Out decimating half the team, we were forced to think "outside the box" with regards to selection. Sam was able to secure the services of Roehampton CC all-rounders Mark Evans and Andrew Dixon, as well as former East Preston players Simon Locke and Jonny White.

 
Ferring won the toss and elected to bat. Andrew Dixon tore into their top order and quickly had two wickets. However, their captain dug in deep and scored an "agricultural" 75. He was helped by the opposition's Asian number 5 who piled into all the Arun bowlers and raced to 50 in very quick time. Mark Evans bowled with coolness and accuracy and took his wicket by sticking to his guns and bowling line and length and trapped their dangerous number 5 leg before, when he was threatening to take the game away from us completely.
 
The boundaries were small and the outfield quick, but Ferring's total of 231 still looked a daunting prospect on a spicy pitch. Mark Rose was moved up to opener as a reward for his toils behind the stumps (ever the team man) and because the captain knows he will do a job wherever he is put. The innings got off to the best possible start when Jonny White piled into the first delivery and square cut it to the boundary. Jonny and Mark raced to 78 within 12 overs and Arun were in an excellent position. After bringing up his 50 with a six, Jonny then departed on 53 (47 deliveries). An amazing achievement given that it was his first game in SIX YEARS. Mark Rose (21 off 42 deliveries) followed in quick succession, and when number 3 Ian Clarke departed soon after, Arun were wobbling at 90 for 3.
 
But then Mark Evans and Sam Mellor took over. The cousins proceeded to compile a 140 run unbroken partnership together, in what proved to be a superbly timed run chase. Mark finished with 50 not out from 66 balls, and Sam with 90 not out from 76. Arun were home and dry with 5 balls to spare.
 
Shot of the Day:
Toss-up between Sam's straight drive to bring up the winning runs, and Mark Evans' huge 6 through mid-wicket.
 
Ball of the Day:
Mark Evans trapping their danger man LBW.
 
Fielding of the Day:
Jonny White missed nothing.
  
Moment of the Day:
Winning.
 
Man of the Match:
Mark or Sam.


Ferring 231 for 6 from 40 overs
 
Bowling:
A.Dixon 12-2-58-3
C. Seaton 5-0-36-0
M. Evans 11-0-41-1
S. Locke 9-0-58-2
L. Mellor 3-0-24-0
 
Arun 233 for 3 from 39.1 overs
 
Batting:
1. J. White      53
2. M. Rose      21
3. I. Clarke      2
4. S. Mellor     90 not out
5. M. Evans    50 not out