Kings
first home game of the season was also their first at their new
ground at Kempton. On a sunny afternoon the team was welcomed
with an excellent 
batting
track and fast outfield. With Steve Smith leading the side, in
the absence of Skipper Rob Young, Kings were rocked by losing
three bowlers from the original selected side, but were able to
call in replacements to ensure a full side was put out. Kings
also welcomed Dave Perry to the side for his first game of the
season. Having won the toss Kings decided to bowl first. An entertaining
game followed as the bat totally dominated throughout the game.
The opening overs soon showed that the pitch was suited for batting
and anything not of perfect line or length was put away by the
Wanderers opening pair. However Pockett was fortunate to survive
as Tighe induced edges that were put down by Smith behind the
stumps and by the usually reliable Wright at slip. Meanwhile Green
played very solidly and built a useful start. Kings finally got
a double breakthrough as Tighe bowled Pockett and then removed
Marsh without scoring. However when Holmes joined Green Wanderers
enjoyed a fruitful partnership, not helped by some slack fielding
from the home team. Further chances came Kings way but these went
begging as four catches went down off the unfortunate Gordon Young.
Kings
were further frustrated when they had a very good run out appeal
turned down by the umpire. Both batsmen passed their fifty as
they continued to cash in on any loose bowling. However when Holmes
had reached 64 he was bowled by Norman to give Kings a third wicket
but it was clear by now that the visitors would be posting a good
total. Green continued to go along smoothly and assisted by Borsay
the score went past the 200 mark and they continued to push on
as Green approached his century. The declaration came when Green
secured his maiden hundred, setting Kings a total of 227 to win.
Before the re-start there was some miss understanding between
the teams, as Wanderers seem to expect a new ball for the second
innings (certainly something that has never been experienced in
a time game before!). The issue resolved - but not totally to
Wanderers satisfaction the Kings innings started. With the 
experienced
pair of Miller and Perry opening the innings (close on 10000 runs
between them) they set about the target with some aplomb. Miller
took 9 off the first over, and followed that with 12 off the second.
This set the pattern as Miller launch into his usual range of
cuts and square drives whilst Perry played an anchor role. When
Wanderers adjusted their line to Miller, sure he was only strong
on the back foot, the batsmen leant into some exquisite front
foot drives.
Kings had fifty on the board by the 6th over and were scoring
at over 6 an over
by the tenth over. This was when the first bowling change was
made which brought a unexpected wicket when Miller fell to Imber
for 47 (78-1). The loss of the wicket brought Evans to the crease
and he and Perry continued to build on the excellent start in
taking the score to 116-1 at the start of the last twenty overs.
Perry was now using all his experience in keep Kings up with the
run rate and passed his fifty with his eighth boundary. Perry
and Evans had added 65 for the second wicket when Evans fell leg
before to Imber (143-3) and then Young
also fell lbw - to Marsh (160-4). Dave Miah now joined Perry and
the scoring rate was maintained as the score was pushed toward
the 200 mark. Miah was then run out with 6 overs left (202-4)
and 25 still needed. Although Perry was starting to close in on
what would have been his 7th Kings century, Dave Wright was given
license to play freely and he blasted 17 off just 8 balls to bring
the scores level before Perry scored the
run which gave Kings a fantastic victory, and saw him carry his
bat for 91*.
The win saw Kings set a new record in successfully chasing down
the highest score in their history (beating the 205 against Gardeners
in 2002) - and at the same time recording their first win of the
2005 season.
