Bedouins v Karl Aston XI – Wednesday, 21 July 2010

Bedouins won by 10 wickets

Never before has the saying “catches win matches” been more accurate. Bedouins held an impressive 6 catches to skittle out a competitive Karl Aston XI and romp to a second 10 wicket victory of the season.

For once the Bedouins had little trouble in getting a full side together. The only late match day trauma was captain of vice, George, ruining his back in a six-a-side match earlier in the day. Every cloud has a silver lining and Bedouins super sub Hall stepped in at late notice.

The KA XI won the toss and elected to bat. They signalled their intentions by attacking from the off but wickets soon began to tumble.  Spratters, returning to the side after a long layoff with injury took a wicket in his first over, with Hill A. taking a well-judged catch in the deep, but  taking a nasty blow to his drinking hand in the process. Bywater got in on the act in his second over with, this time, Gregory taking the catch. Kureshi was the main threat for KA XI and he went on to retire on 30.

The whole of the Bedouins bowling attack performed well. Saxon came on first change and took a wicket with his first ball (good bowling change skip) another confident catch by Hill J behind the stumps. Saxon finished with 1 for 13 from 3 overs. Meanwhile at the other end Currie bowled very tidily and in his third over suddenly found himself on a hat-trick. His first wicket was a neat catch from Hall and the second was clean bowled. His hat-trick bowl went for four runs and he finished with 2 for 19 from 3 overs.

Gregory chipped in with 1 for 19 from 3 overs with Hall again taking the catch. Pearson saw his first ball despatched to the boundary for four but then took three wickets in 6 balls. Even the skipper managed to hang on to a catch. Pearson finished with 3 for 20 from 3 overs.

With Kureshi coming back to the crease the skipper turned back to his opening bowlers although Spratters never got a chance for another over as, with his ball, Bywater dismissed the dangerous batsman with a pearler, removing his off stump. KA XI finished on 96 in the 17th over.

Bedouins, in reply couldn’t have asked for a better start. Hill A’s finger stopped him opening with Branch as usual so Hall filled in and did the job well  – not taking long to retire on 30. The Bedouins continued a steady run chase with Branch joined by the skip. Branch also retired on 30 not out and it was Hill J who came in at the end to hit the winning runs in the 18th over. He finished 8 not out and the skip 20 not out.

So another 10 wicket win but it by no means a walkover. KA XI were a good competitive side but they were unlucky enough to meet the Beds on one of their better days.

A word to Karl Aston, who has previously played several games for the Bedouins and, for his sins, went to school with the skipper (there’s a few stories there). Don’t give the game up mate, you’ve got too much to offer still. Come and have a regular game for the Bedouins.