Facing the league leaders, Vale were well-placed at 146-2 in their chase of 232 to secure the victory, but a game-changing spell from the opposition’s overseas bowler ultimately saw Vale collapse and succumb to a disappointing loss. 

Bowling first, Vale would have been content at the halfway stage to restrict their hosts to a par score. Skipper Steven Allweis was in the thick of the action immediately with a fine run out in just the third over, but Vale were kept waiting until the score reached 84 for their next breakthrough.

There were three wickets for new addition Daniel Grabinar, who bowled with great control and skill, whilst Allweis and the Lederman brothers, Neil and Ben, also chipped in - but dropped catches proved costly, not least when giving Amersham’s professional, who made 72, a second chance when he had scored just ten runs.

Vale’s chase started in positive fashion, with Grabinar hitting two sixes as he and Adam Spooner raced to an opening stand of 55. When they both fell in quick succession, a key partnership developed between Adam Brand and Ben Lederman, with the batsmen marshalling the chase and looking in total control against Amersham’s bowling.

Brand brought up his half-century off an even 50 balls, but both he and Lederman were soon on their way back to the pavilion, dismissed by the Sri Lankan player, who has represented his country at under 23 level and picked up more than 250 scalps in first-class cricket. 

He went on to decimate Vale’s middle order, and despite some late resistance from Joel Grabinar and Ilan Selby, the visitors were bowled out for 201 in the final over of the innings. It would have been a magnificent victory had Vale pulled it off, but they now face the prospect of having to win two of their remaining three Chess Valley League matches to avoid the drop this season.