Bickley Park CC – 2nd XI vs Old Wilsonians CC – 2nd XI

Report

You would have been forgiven for thinking this was a mid July match when Bickley Park 2nd 11 kicked off their season against Old Wilsonians 2s on a glorious day. The match lived up to the weather with the game ultimately going down to the final ball. 

Wilsonians won the toss and, unsurprisingly baring in mind the weather and good looking pitch, opted to bat first. Williams and Aimey both started strongly, Williams regularly beating the bat and Aimey picking up an early wicket. Captain Dandeniya (75) rebuilt well with Jones, who having seen off an excellent opening burst from Williams, hit his final ball straight back to him to him to depart for a composed 29. Bickley contained fairly well for the rest of the innings, albeit a good late stand from Seston and Sherlock lifting Wilsonians to a solid 209-6 from there 50, with captain Crowdy picking up a couple of late wickets.

In reply Bickley struggled early on with some tight Wilsonians bowling, losing.a couple of early wickets. Cooper and King initially rebuilt, before a third wicket left Bickley with an up-hill struggle. However, King proceeded to smash the ball to all parts in a brilliant innings, eventually finishing on 105, falling in the final over. He received excellent support from Patel (32) and Pym (40*), however with 10 needed off the final over, Bickley fell just short. Opening bowler Ranjan picked up 2 wickets in an accurate opening burst, with the other wickets spread between the rest.

All in all, you couldn’t have asked for a much better game to kick off the season. Fine margins, as always, can be looked at but both teams should be in for encouraging seasons if they replicate there performances here.