Belvedere CC, Kent – 2nd XI vs Bickley Park CC – 3rd XI

Report

The 3rd  XI travelled to Belvedere, and were keen to get back to their winning ways.

A combination of heavy rain before the start of the game and the fact that Belvedere had no covers left a wicket where water squelched from under your foot (no exaggeration).  After much waiting around, and several inspections, not to mention many trips to the local Co-op, play finally started at  3:30. Captain Sunny won the toss and chose to field with the game reduced to the minimum allocation of 26 overs per innings.

In spite of the the rain, the wicket played fairly well. Simon and Jack Horner made early breakthroughs, getting us two quick wickets before runs began to flow for Belvedere. Their number 3 & 4 looked solid before Jack broke the partnership (and ended with 5 for 22). Belvedere reached 120-7, not a bad total off 26 overs, helped by some missed opportunities and overthrows from Bickley in the late stages of the game  

Simon and Marco opened the batting but after Simon was caught behind, Marco looked to score quickly (as usual), connecting with a massive six and several fours. He was dismissed controversially after being caught off a no-ball which was called by the square leg umpire, only to be overturned by the standing umpire. Samit and Abu both started well, but were unable to capitalise.
Fin Horner and Jack Cooper  (very confusing two Horners, and two Jacks… Onle of whom is both Jack and Horner,!!!) shared a solid partnership to get us to 75-4 off around 18 overs. Pulkit and Sunny then came to the crease, with the match evenly poised. Sunny was dismissed, caught at deep midwicket, so Pulkit was joined by the other Jack (or the other Horner, depending how you look at it) with 42 required off the last 4 overs.  A key partnership followed, with two with a massive six from Pulkit and several fours from Jack meant we required 10 off the last over to win. A couple of twos left Pulkit on strike with two to win off the last ball. A tip and run meant only one was possible, and the match was tied. Both teams scoring 120-7 

After a good team performance, with standouts from Jack with the ball and Pulkit (31*) with the bat, the 3s are still top of the table. 15 points for both sides means Bickley actually increase the gap to second place OD CUACO who suffered an abandonment (10 points).  Our patience was rewarded!