Bickley Park CC 1st XI vs Hayes CC 1st XI

Report

BPCC welcomed Hayes after being abandoned the previous week, knowing a victory would see us in the semi finals. Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be. 

Batting first, Hayes set the platform well, with Bamber and Baker compiling 50s to set the innings up at 116-1. Stafford proceeded to take 3 wickets, and a rather lucky run out, but runs continued to flow, with young Baker riding his luck to score an impressive 71 against a prem attack. Jason Benn, on debut, took a couple of wickets at the tail, including an unbelievable caught and bowled, against a hapless Dave Giles, much to the joy of his fan base. Christened his first pole with the raising of the ball to the screaming fans, and rightly so. Hayes ended on 189-8 off 45 overs. A good score on a pitch doing a bit. 

In response, BPCC lost regular wickets, despite Alex Fullerton dusting off another hangover, to bat fluently scoring both sides of the wickets for 41. A defiant 31 from Ridley, who marshalled the tail well, briefly threatened but BPCC ended up falling short, finishing on 159 all out. Credit to young Baker who backed up his 50 with 2 wickets and Grant Sheen who picked up 3 wickets for very little. 

A disappointing end to the group stage, however there were certainly some positives to be had. Holcombe, Stafford, Monoghan and Benn then delivered some rather mixed singing performances on stage to mark their debuts  – Benn a clear winner.