EXAMS for teenagers, post exam parties for university students, a poker tournament in Las Vegas and jet lag depleted both Chalford and particularly its visitors, Kingswood.

Even so, only by a stern rearguard action did the ten players of Chalford beat the eight of Kingswood.

Batting first, Kingswood was in instant trouble. Opener, Mark Thomas pulled a muscle before facing the bowling and was caught first ball.

Kevin Morgan (29) and Davis Newcombe(16) fell to excellent fielding and Steve Barnes perished soon after.

At 79-4 with only three wickets and 12 overs remaining was not promising.

A 59 partnership between Iain Green (41) and student Mike Barnes (15 not out) rescued the innings.

This and the latter`s judicious nursing of the aged tail gave a better than expected 152-6, including 47 extras, off the agreed 35 overs.

Chalford tore into Kingswood`s pace attack at eight runs an over. What they could not reach with the bat were added with wides and byes, 32 in total.

Turning to spin worked immediately, Newcombe above all with 5-35.

Two more wickets, one to Steve Barnes and another to Chalford loanee, ten-year-old Lawrence Lee with a brilliant caught and bowled of the dangerous Tom Eagles (42) had the hosts reeling on 106-7.

Pinned down by a tight 7-2-9-0 spell from a de-padded wicketkeeper Kevin Morgan, it took astute batting by skipper Reg Weager (32 not out) and 13-year-old Jacob Lee (17 not out) to see Chalford home with just two wickets and 15 balls to spare.