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

Report

Things started well as skipper Crowdy won the toss at the field of dreams and asked the visiting Bromley side, fresh from their arduous road trip and bedecked in matching training kit, to field first.

The opening pair of Matt “Rusty” Russell and Parag “P-Man” Patel looked untroubled for the first few overs as the early Bromley seam attack (3 of them in the first 4 overs) found a bit of movement.  Thoughts of the last few weeks’ batting frailties were beginning to wane when Rusty was caught behind by none other than Robby Dummer. 17 for 1 became 17-2 as Parag was given out LBW ( I say given out because the feeling was that it really wasn’t troubling the sticks – a view shared by a delighted DumDum behind them!). Some brief respite before Tom Franks-Moore’s father arrived – which of course led to Tom being cleaned up the very first ball his own man witnessed (In cricketing terms, that’s clearly cause and effect). James Monaghan also also followed soon after and the “Bickley collapse” (not worth patenting) had rendered us holed just above the waterline at 33-4.

Marcos Aimey and Michael Pym (sadly playing his last game for Bickley) restored some credibility to the as the former worked the ball about and the later took the opportunity to remember how to bat on his last outing for the club!! With the partnership on 49,  Pymbo departed, and Simon Davis – playing his first game of the season in the 2’s showed why he has been so important in the 3’s this year.  Together they put on another 41 before Marcos perished (for 41).  Leo Hadcock averages 2 in 3rd XI cricket this year (at the end of this his 2nd XI average is 63!!!!) … PC must obviously bring out the best in him as he repeated his 2nd XI debut performance at Dartford and proceeded to crash the attack everywhere. The 6 pulled over the safety net and into the swimming pool roof was something Julian Ramsey would have been proud of!  His quick fire 39. Simon fell for  27 and it was left to Geoff Williams (17*) and Richard Horner (12*) to secure the 3rd bonus batting point as we finished with 204-8.

Tea was taken,  and to our delight there was the added end of season treat of toasties (thank you Hazel, that was a lovely surprise) The Bromley lads probably don’t realise how lucky they were.

The Bromley innings, and that is to say our bowling , it is safe to say didn’t go as well as we might have hoped!  In truth, Bromley opener Grant Basey played a fantastic and brutal inning. His 115* was well structured, and with the top order batting around him (also with some wonderful cover drives on display) we were never in the game.  As always Marcos bowled well, although unusually he took an over to settle and Simon Davis also provided some much needed consistency with his left arm over seamers.  Star of the day with the ball however was James “Mono” Monaghan who, much like Pymbo, appears to have rediscovered his cricketing skills just as the season ends. It was great to see the Monosaurus hit the deck with good pace, accuracy and movement and he thoroughly deserved his figures of 2 for 18 off 5. 

Finally two thank you’s.

To PC: The skipper.  We all know that the easy bit is turning up on the day and playing.. the real work is done in the 5 days before chasing, cajoling, negotiating and downright begging to get us t that point.  From the team and the club… thank you mate, and well done!

To Michael Pym. Our wicket keeper and (well up until this year at least) batsman!!!!. Thank you mate. We all wish you (and Gabs) the very best and are truly grateful for all your efforts for Bickley Park CC over the last 6 years.  You came to Bickley via chance encounter and conversation. I’m glad I bumped into you that day and I hope are too!  Best of luck with wherever you play cricket next… you will be a most welcome asset to any club.