Sevenoaks Vine CC – 1st XI vs Bickley Park CC – 1st XI

Report

This year’s BPCC 1st XI opener was away to Sevenoaks Vine CC. We welcomed several 1st team debutants for the first match of the 2021 season – Elliot Hooper, Jotty Singh, James Monoghan and Max Luckett. Whilst we were all looking forward to hearing their initiation songs in due course, our attention was focussed on what we knew would be a tough first game against good opposition.

A three-hour delay due to the weather meant the game was reduced to 35 overs per side. Stand in captain Michael Ridley performed his first duty well and won the toss, deciding to stick Sevenoaks in on a very green track. Both sides started steadily, with the first Sevenoaks wicket falling to Jason with the score on 33-1. BPCC bowled consistently, taking wickets at regular intervals, with Elliot finishing with fine figures of 3 for 28 from his full allotment of 7 overs and captain Ridley chipping in with 2 for 20. However, some excellent batting from Sevenoaks’s number three and some late order flourishes helped Sevenoaks reach a total of 180-6 from their 35 overs.

In reply, BPCC did not start well, losing opener Fullarton and number 3. Alex Darroch in successive balls, leaving the score on 12-2. Despite some good positive intent from debutant Jotty, another BPCC batting collapse and swift departure looked on the cards as the score fell to 58-5. However, the middle order of Elliot, Ranj and Jason started to build some partnerships, steadily taking the game back to Vine. At this point, all the signs of a typical Bickley nail biter started to emerge.

With 5 overs to go, Jason was dismissed bringing J Monoghan to the crease.
Some sublime batting from Elliot Hooper and Mono, including a powerhouse slog sweep onto the road and a majestic flick off the pads from the debutant, brought us closer and closer to the target.

Entering the final over, BPCC required 7 to win, however losing Elliot to the third ball of the over meant that we were not quite able to get over the line, falling 4 runs short in the end.

A close finish and an exciting game for our first match of the new season, but plenty to work on in the coming weeks.