ROBB SLAYS BERGHOLT TO CLAIM RECORD [29/07/07 19:02:50]

South African import Kemsley Robb (right) smashed Simon Swinn's 23-year-old record for the fastest century with a blistering assault on the East Bergholt bowlers in yesterday's fixture.

The former Durban Nomad and Sleepabout Creek batsman bludgeoned a hugely impressive 111 as Abberton made light work of the visitors' 241-7, getting home by five wickets with more than thirteen overs to spare.

However, all the talk was about Robb's magnificent knock made after he arrived at the crease with the score on 49-2 with the game reasonably in the balance. He dominated a stand of 97 with Mike Abrey (36), but it was the manner in which he played his wide variety of shots that caught the eye.

His first fifty came at a comparatively 'pedestrian' pace, being gleaned from 29 balls, but he cut loose after briefly acknowledging the partisan crowd and the second half century was taken off a mere seventeen deliveries, and beat the web editor devouring his steak and onions dinner; no mean feat that!

The fastest fifty in club history is owned by Barry Rudlin against Brantham in 1990. As mentioned earlier, our current Chairman's 65-ball ton in a ten wicket win over Felixstowe at The Brow in 1984 was the quickest three figure knock in a match which, incredibly, Abberton won by ten wickets chasing 249, Alec Chamberlain also reaching a century.

Amusingly, young Robb was little more than a sperm when Swinny did the business!