Bickley Park CC – 3rd XI vs The Roebucks CC – 2nd XI

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Results

TeamRunsWickets LostOversOutcome
Bickley Park CC – 3rd XI158940Win
The Roebucks CC – 2nd XI157840Loss

Bickley Park CC 3rd XI get off to a winning start, by the tightest of margins, scrambling two runs from the last ball of the game with the last pair at the crease. View Scorecard

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Cricket’s a funny old game. Few could have thought that with Roebucks well set on 146-3, they would find themselves defending a total of 157-9. Even fewer in the crowd (strictly enjoying a pint in the designated area, NOT spectating) could have thought that at 18-3, and then 96-6, they would be treated to a final ball thriller, with Bickley needing 1 run to tie the game, with 1 wicket remaining.

Fewer still could have foreseen ex-President Chris Hewitt’s fleet of foot and nimble acceleration to turn that final single into the two that would win the game, fresh off the back of taking 5 wickets in his final 11 balls, having done no pre-season but ‘bowled a few balls in the back garden’ the day before the season opener. Did I mention that the winning runs came from debutant Yawar Ali, against his former club, off the only ball he faced? Cricket’s a funny old game.

Bickley won the toss and elected to field on a gorgeous deck befitting the nickname Home of Cricket. Although fielding well to save plenty of runs in the outfield, a couple of tough chances went down to ensure that Roebucks started well, quietly building to 105-1 thanks in large part to W. Hoque (79) who mixed good running between the wickets with some nice shots and tight defence. The opening four seamers all bowled tidily enough, but it was the introduction of Chewitt (5-11) and Yawar Ali (2-44) that changed the game in Bickley’s favour. Leo Hadcock took a couple of excellent catches on the boundary as Roebucks seemed caught between all-out-attack and accumulating an even higher total, ending on 157 from their 40 overs.

Bickley made an inauspicious start, quickly finding themselves 2, and then 3 wickets down as an excellent umpiring decision saw Simon Davis (10) out LBW – thanks here should go to both Arnie and the Roebucks umpire for giving the 3s an experience of ‘proper’ cricket and for their time throughout the day – we hope you enjoyed it! Jack Cooper (32) and Visesh Mantri (26) built steadily to bring Park close to 100, but when both fell in quick succession it was left yet again to skipper Sunny Saika (35) to chase down the final runs. 24 from 24 became 12 from 12, which became 6 from 6 with 3 wickets remaining. Sunny’s dismissal, followed by a chaotic run out, saw Chewitt and Yawar play out the final 2 balls for a thrilling victory.

The 3s were grateful to everyone that came down to enjoy a beer and give their support, along with Rebel and the opposition scorer for keeping such immaculate records – it contributed to a fantastic opening day of the season. Roebucks were gracious in defeat in a game they could easily have won, and we look forward to playing them again later this season in another hard fought contest.

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Details

Date Time League Season
1 May 2021 12:30 pm KRCL Division 3 - Met/West - 2021 2021

Venue

Bickley Park