A muddy, brown track leading to the ground did not auger well for the prospects of a full days play between Sampfords and Eastons, and the intermittent wet weather had a role to play within the first innings.
Eastons, having won the toss, elected to field first on a damp, slow spring like pitch. Harris and Mimmack managed to restrict the Sampfords opening pair to 47 from the first 15 overs. However, the opening batsmen began to play more expansively as the weather improved, and reached their 100 for no wicket. Taylor and Wood supported the opening bowlers, but Sampfords were still able to post 195 for 6 by tea.
Eastons opened their innings by loosing a flurry of wickets, seemingly destined to repeat their display of the previous season at the same ground. However, when Culling took the crease with the Skipper still there, order suppressed the earlier chaos. Both Mimmack and Culling produced their finest batting displays of the season. Both had indicated their potential earlier in the season, and this came to fruition at this crucial juncture. Between them, they shared a partnership of 102, with Culling 48 and Mimmack 61. Ultimately this was a face saving effort, and Eastons finished 126 for 7.
Result – Match Drawn
Sampfords 195 – 6
Mimmack 48-2
Harris 58-2
Taylor 38-1
astons