Clanfield’s 2nd XI suffered a narrow one-wicket defeat when they travelled to Drayton Park in Farlington to take on Railway Triangle’s 2nd XI on Saturday.

Put into bat, Clanfield’s openers Scott Richardson (18) and Sudip Sen (22) started well, setting a relatively forceful run rate of around five an over.

The loss of three wickets saw first Tom Wright and then Ollie Sedgwick come to the crease to forge a strong partnership. Ollie’s solid support before he was out for 16 and Tom’s fine stroke play saw the score edge up from 50 to 116 for four, with Tom going on to score 93 and move the total on to 180 for six.

Roy Goulding and Kris Lane provided a final spurt, including 12 in the last over, to help Clanfield reach 200 for six. Maximum batting points were achieved on the 100th appearance in a Clanfield side of captain Andy Wellen.

Opening bowlers Alex Graham and Andy Wellen found it difficult to break through, but Roy Goulding (two for 32) and Ollie Sedgwick (three for 26) had more luck.

However Railway Triangle were taking runs where they could and the next bowling change saw them plunder 51 runs from four overs and begin to close in on Clanfield’s target.

The run chase faltered with the return of Alex Graham when he took the wicket of top scorer Joel Eastman for 69. With Kris Lane taking two for 14 and Tom Wright running out Railway Triangle’s number ten to make it 195 for nine, the game was poised to go either way.

Unfortunately Clanfield could not take that last wicket, and Railway Triangle reached 201 for nine in the 34th over with a straight drive for four.

On Saturday the 2nd XI travel to Gosport to meet Rowner’s 2nd XI.