Bickley Park CC – 3rd XI vs Catford and Cyphers CC – 3rd XI

Report

As the tight race for promotion continues, BPCC took on 3rd place Catford and Cyphers in an important game. With a lack of availability, Sunny just managed to get a team out with the Arman brothers, Alex and Will stepping up from the u17s. Another disappointing, yet not surprising Warren wicket was not the only problem, as the wind created seriously challenging conditions, restricting the game to 30 overs. After a small football warmup it was discovered the 3rd team should stick to cricket instead of keepy ups, before Sunny won the toss and chose to field first.

Sunny and Matt opened the bowling and the breakthrough was made by the skipper, dismissing their opener caught and bowled. Catford’s number one looked threatening, scoring a quick 23 before being dismissed by a great catch from Alex. The wind was creating all sorts of problems, but the most frustrating was the bails being blown off almost every ball as the bowler ran in. The skipper claimed one more before Sahil and Marcus Arman were into the attack. Sahil took one wicket with a brilliant ball, hitting the top of off – almost as if he hadn’t been away for 3 weeks. Marcus Arman dismissed their number 6 following a good catch from Saumil. A solid bowling and fielding performance restricted Catford to 128-8 off 30 overs. The skipper was the standout claiming 4-14 off his seven overs, supported by economical bowling from Matt, Marcus.A, Sahil and Will.

The much improved Warren tea didn’t disappoint this week although the hot food came late, causing a small stampede towards the table as soon as it appeared.

Marcus and Barry opened in chase of 128, attempting to set a platform before Marcus was quickly dismissed after sending a leading edge in the air. BPCC looked in a bit of trouble as Matt too came and went quickly before Mark Hardy and Barry shared a great partnership of about 50. Mark scored a crucial 30 including some lovely boundaries before he was stumped. After a key innings, Barry (30) soon followed, dismissed by a questionable LBW decision. With BPCC 79-4 off 25 overs, it looked as if it was going to be close. However, a mini collapse took the thirds to 85-9 in the 29th over. Some late hitting from Saumil took the total over 87, gaining us a key extra point.

BPCC ended on 90-9 off 30 overs, after a good team effort in difficult conditions, taking 10 points from the game.
The thirds are still 15 points clear at the top, but OD CUACO have two games in hand. With only two games of the season to go, promotion looks likely, but it will be close, so every point counts!