Bickley Park CC – 1st XI vs Tenterden CC – 1st XI

Report

After two weeks on the road, we returned to the Field of Dreams to take on Tenterden. It’s very nearly two years since we’ve been beaten at home, and in an exciting game on a delightful summer’s day, Xav ensured that it stayed that way.

Tenterden batted first and made 210 for 7 off their 50 overs. Adeel took 3-26 off his ten overs, and only some long handle from the opening bowler Richards took Tenterden past the 200 which had to be their minimum aspiration. “Just about enough”, said the wandering Tenterden supporter to me; “not nearly enough” said I to him.

We lost an early wicket, but Alex Fullarton played the anchor role while Mitch and Dan scored freely around him. At 122 for 3, and at 163 for 4 after Adeel too had played some strokes, the game seemed to be ours. But then Tenterden turned to a sixth bowler, a recent signing from village cricket, and he turned the game on its head by taking three wickets in an over. 164 for 7. “Where’s your money now?”, said the wandering Tenterdonian.

Michael and Matt Green put on twenty, and then Matt and Gordon put on 21 before Gordon was run out attempting a quick single that maybe we didn’t absolutely need. Xav at the wicket, and six still needed. Three off the 49th over, and so three needed off the last, and Xav on strike. The second ball went scorching through the covers for four, and victory was ours! “Well played guys”, said the man of Tenterden, and he was absolutely right!