Match Report 17-08-13: BCC v SCC
With a forecast set for wet and windy weather no-one thought that a 40 over game would ever be possible. Fortunately like Michael Foot in 1987 the weather man was very wrong!! Apart from a brief shower the weather stayed fair and the top of the table clash was played out to completion.
At the toss Jim McCculley called incorrectly and Balders had no hesitation in batting first. The skip and Stu Pinchin opened up and in the face of some tight bowling from Everett and Willis the score ticked along at 4 an over. This rate was maintained and improved upon as the the opening pair pushed the score along to 99 without loss at 20 overs. Apart from a sharp caught and bowled that Willis grassed off Balders there was little to note in the the opening riposte. In the 26th over Shipbourne finally made the breakthrough with Agate trapping Stupot LBW for 25. This brought Jack Redden to the crease and he and Balders began to build again. On 95 Balders went for a quick single only to pull a groin muscle. Unable to run he decided that the best way forward was to hit 4’s and 6’s and to avoid running at all costs!. By the time he was stumped off Agate in the 34th over he had compiled a belligerent and timely 164 with 22 fours and 7 sixes. Dom Trett came and went quickly but not before he had smashed a very quick 25. Mitch joined Jacko and the pair pushed the score up to 271-3 at tea. Jacko finished 16 not out and Mitch 19 not out.
After a splendid Redden tea (something you don’t hear very often!!) Tretty decided he was fit to bowl. He and Jordan opened up and quickly had SCC 34-2 with both Spurling and Lee-Amies (both caught off Dom) back in the hutch. Mitch replaced Dom at the playground end and despite going for 33 off his four overs picked up the invaluable wicket of George Willis caught most magnificently at deep backward square leg by a horizontal Dale Hillhouse…..possibly the best catch ever seen at BCC!!. Eamo replaced Jordan who bowled his 9 over for 52 taking the Wicket of A Willis in the process. Wickets fell regularly throughout the SCC innings – Tim Johnson picking up Jim McCulley with Eames picking up Keith Willis and Mark Fenton. Eamo’s final figures of 2-40 off 9 overs was exceptional on a day where most bowlers were going at 6 an over. He’s also added an excellent run out too! With overs running out Eli Ckarkson took matters into his own hands smashing the bowling to all parts. Dale came on for Johno and bowled with aplomb to take 2-23. SCC all out for 220 and an excellent win from the Bidborough boys!! Ckarkson ended the innings on 70 not out and batted really well. One for the future for SCC!
With that win BCC went top and if they now win their remaining 3 games they will be crowned champions. Fingers crossed they have a fair fight and the weather doesn’t interfere!!
James Baldock