Bickley Park CC – 2nd XI vs Orpington CC – 2nd XI

Report

WOOHOOOO – BICKLEY 2s SECURE PROMOTION!

The 2^nd XI put in another strong performance this weekend against our near neighbours Orpington CC, albeit that time and weather conditions didn’t allow PC’s men quite enough time to register another victory for the season.  Despite the initial disappointment at not securing the full points which would have won promotion (and most likely the title) at the Home of Cricket, news from other games later on that evening confirmed our promotion to Division 1 of the Kent League.  A terrific effort from all concerned with special congratulations to captain fantastic himself, Paul Crowdy.

Asked to bat first on a greenish wicket, openers Monaghan and Green set off at a fair lick.  Big James unfortunately sustained an early injury and decided that attack was the best form of defence, smacking a few round the park in some style.  At the other end, Matt played quite beautifully to top score with a very composed 66.  Very useful contributions with the bat also came from Messrs Ramsey (41*) and Firth (26) which helped us post a decent total of 206-7 at the “formal” break – heavy rain did force us to take an early tea (thanks as always for another scrumptious offering Hazel!) before we went back out to complete our overs.

Seeing the Pres stroll round the boundary with a pint in his hand while the game was going on was the only downside to our innings (bad show Pres!), albeit that he said it was the fault of old boy Jamie Forde who popped by with his son to see a few familiar faces and didn’t want to drink alone.

In response, the oppo never quite came to terms with our bowling attack with mild-mannered Harry S the undoubted star of the show (5-23), egged on by a 5-person slip cordon. Marcos’s opening spell was also a thing of beauty and great to watch, unlike the skipper’s efforts at slip!  To their credit however, relegation-threatened Orpington did manage to defend stoically (and their skipper in particular), as both time and overs ran out for us to bowl them out.

Sincere thanks to Jack Horner for standing in as our umpire, and team photographer, for the day – much appreciated Richard

We go into our last game of the season 9 points ahead of 2^nd place so a strong performance away to Bexleyheath should secure the title and make this a season to remember!

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