Mountfield 87-8 (20 overs) Brede 91-6 (16 overs) 12.06.11

Mountfield and Brede rarely see eye to eye on a cricket field. It is no exaggeration to state that over the years they have become the swornest of enemies since Sherlock Holmes and his nemesis Moriarty did battle in the classic books of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. However, like the relationship between those two fictional characters, hidden under the veneer of apparent hatred is a healthy respect for each others talents. One thing is for sure an encounter between these neighbouring villages is never to be missed.

The Legion 200-4 (35 overs) Brede 196-8 (35 overs)

We were forewarned that showers would sweep across East Sussex on Sunday by one of the BBC's army of vaguely glamorous local weather girls and so it proved. It was definitely a day for wrapping up, even Brede tough nut P.Shellard donned a sweater, surely the most memorable modelling of a jumper since ace detective Sarah Lund and her iconic pullover trawled around Denmark in that fabulous Scandinavian BBC4 thriller "The Killing". No matter, under leaden skies Brede and the Legion put on a fine show for the sprinkling of

supporters who had decided that a bit of village limited over cricket would be the entertainment of the day.

Sent into bat The Legion soon lost A.Salmon defeated by an S.Turner yorker, no disgrace there, name me a batsman who says he hasn't been trumped by the eccentric all rounder and I'll name you someone who plays loose with the truth. The early wicket brought J.White to the crease and along with D.Longley he set about the Brede attack, Longley was particularly aggressive thrashing almost indiscriminately even after taking a fearful crack on the arm from a vicious P.Brown bumper. T.Godden's decision to leave his van were he had been hiding for the first half hour put an end to Longley's fun though, the Brede paceman bowling him with his very first delivery. White was then joined by R.Wallis and they put together a fine 50 partnership only ended by a remarkable telescopic catch by Brown who also pouched White, off his own bowling, for a very impressive 80. Some lusty blows from M.O'Callaghan(22*) and B.Roberts (19*) saw The Legion reach 200 at the break, a good total for sure but within the reach of an in form Brede batting line up.

After tucking into tea E.Avann and T.Godden feasted on the Legion bowling, racking up 41 in the first 7 overs before Godden was well caught on the boundary by A.Salmon. Avann was the prize wicket, with two consecutive Brede centuries to his name the highly regarded youngster looked well set for another. He cruised to 50 before Longley clipped his off bail with a beauty and turned the match on it's head. Now Brede needed a big innings from their much vaunted middle order but promising efforts by P.Brown(18), C.Butler(12) and D.Chard(14) were cut off before they could truly blossom and with eight wickets down and still 32 in arrears things were not looking rosy in the Brede CC batting garden. One must never write off a side that contains the incomparable S.Turner though, who, joined by the always enthusiastic T.Waters, edged the visitors towards the Legion's total. As the rain began to fall more steadily the two Brede batsman mixed some massive hits with barely adequate running between the wickets leaving themselves 19 to win off the final over eventually falling an agonising 4 runs short. So the game ended for Brede much like the afore-mentioned "The Killing" ,unbearably tense, in poring rain with a depressing finale. Like the show one feels it will haunt the memory for years to come.

Brede CC v Lydd CC 29.05.11 Brede: 224 for 2 Lydd: 139 all out

Brede youngster Ed Avann's third century in 8 days gave the home side a comfortable victory over a perennially competitive Lydd side on a less than consistent wicket at the BCG.

Brede were put into bat first but Lydd were soon a wicket to the good as the usually reliable Alistair Barrett was given out LBW to Fletcher in only the second over. With vice captain AR Fryer joining Avann at the crease his innings could really begin in earnest and despite the best efforts of C.Matthews, D.Wolfe, M.Ham and S.Patel he went beyond 100 propelling the home side to an awe inspiring total of 224. It was not all one way traffic as Wolfe claimed the wicket of Fryer with little more than an inch worth of bounce for only 13. The most notable supporting performance came from the ever stylish Paul Carruthers who played an innings that although over shadowed by that of Avann was equally as important and compelling. The side's elder statesman finishing just two short of his half century.

With such a mammoth total to bowl at you could forgive the hosts a little complacency. Openers Fletcher and Unwin looked like making them pay as they reached 40 in fine style but Scott Turner's persistence and Tim Godden's controlled hostility soon had the away side struggling. Fletcher fell to Turner and number 3 Patel came and went thanks to Godden and the hands of man of the moment Avann. Turner bagged the wicket of Unwin which effectively ended any real chance of victory for Lydd.

Pete Brown and Avann the combined to remove the next 3 batsmen for a mere 13 runs before Barrett and rising star Tom Waters entered the fray to all but finish off the visitor's tail end. Ham and G.Smith staged a mini revival despite the draw looking doubtful before Turner returned to finish the job and claim his third wicket and a comprehensive victory.

Match report Northiam v Brede 22/05/2011

A trip to Northiam is a highlight for any Brede CC follower and sure enough a large contingent turned up on Sunday to witness a gripping local derby. Sent into bat Northiam made a great start with J.McKenzie and M.Mountstevens pounding the ball to all parts, McKenzie was particularly brutal as he bludgeoned five massive 6's. Brede were not helped by the clueless captaincy of stand in leader A.R.Fryer who looked out of his depth in the role setting fields with more holes than a swiss cheese. Regular Brede skipper S.Newble could barely contain a smirk as the home side piled on the agony, reaching 127 before a devilish delivery by T.Waters and a smart catch by C.Butler accounted for Mckenzie(78).

Suddenly the visitors could see a way back into the match and the runs started to dry up due to tight bowling from E.Avann whilst the wickets began to fall courtesy of the mercurial efforts of S.Turner(3 wickets)and the ever reliable P.Carruthers who accounted for two opposing batsmen bamboozled by his wily off breaks. At tea Northiam had amassed 220 an impressive effort but one a strong Brede batting line up could consider within their reach. Three crunching boundaries by Avann in the first over confirmed visitor hopes but the early exit of Newble whose score cannot be revealed due to a "Super injunction" (I can tell you it was less than one) was a massive blow. Newbles removal brought to the wicket Brede legend C. Reardon who found the excellent Northiam wicket much to his liking, immediately looking at ease in that typically languid style we are all familiar with.

From then on the crowd were treated to a batting show to beat any seen in recent years as Avann and Reardon tore into the unfortunate Northiam attack. Mixing crunching boundaries with well judged singles they cruised to the winning total in a masterful partnership of 208. Reardon finishing not out agonisingly two short of his first Brede ton and Avann completing a superb century, his first, an innings that included more cuts than one of those bloated Oliver Stone films that proved such a waste of time for serious movie goers in the early nineties.