Kinlet v Bedouins at Moffatt School – Wednesday, 15 June 2011

Beds lost by 4 runs

The Beds travelled over the water (the River Severn that is) to play Kinlet in the picturesque grounds of Moffat School. The usual conundrum of trying to get a team together for an away fixture and as a result the Beds had to play with just 10 men. Hill A. had finally succumbed to his foot problem and Hancock was struck down with a virus but the good news was Captain of Vice was away so the team could could enjoy the peace and tranquility of the countryside. There was more good news as Currie had been given a clean bill of health and so returned to the side and Pearson was back from off-shore.

Having been soundly thrashed at Kinlet last season, the Beds were determined to put in a better performance and in truth, this was a game they should have won.

Kinlet won the toss and elected to bat. The agreed format was that everybody had to bowl two overs and retirement was 25 runs. Kinlet started cautiously with Currie (0 for 10) and Pearson (0 for 4) containing the opening batsmen well.

The batting side, however, soon got into their stride and utilised the small ground to hit several sixes. All the Bedouins bowlers took some stick and at 100 for 2 from 15 overs a big score looked on. There then ensued a flurry of wickets falling. Spratley bowled a tidy two overs to finish with 2 for 1 and Bywater 1 for 4 and there was also a series of run-outs thanks to some ambitious running between the wickets. Kinlet finished on 129 for 7. A gettable score on such a small ground and maybe the total should have been less; there were some comical fielding moments but it should be said the outfield was not the easiest to field on. Currie had to resort to the shin pads so it must have been awkward.

Bedouins opened with Branch and Boom Boom Bywater. We have managed to ruin Bywater’s average completely now as he was soon bowled for just one run. The next partnership of Branch and Thomas (12) looked promising with Branch despatching the ball to the boundary several times before he had to retire on 28. Thomas was just starting to get into his stride but then edged to the wicket keeper and as you would expect from a Bedouin, he walked without waiting to see the Umpires decision.

Hill J and the skipper started to put a good partnership together until the latter got too ambitious and was caught at long on for 19 by his (ex) footballing buddy, Simon Guest. Hill J. launched a fabulous six over deep mid-wicket followed up with a four, but was then stumped on 15.

Gregory looked in good form and was keeping up with the run-rate and at 94 for 4 in the 15th over, it was game on. Currie played a cameo innings hitting two boundaries in his 11 before being bowled. Gregory too succumbed on 20, being caught on the boundary (again by Guest – perhaps we should sign him up?). Ferguson and Spratley went cheaply and at the death it was down to Pearson and Branch to try and get 10 runs from the last two overs. It was going quite nicely until Pearson received the only ball of the day that reared up. He instinctively got a bat on it but the ball looped to gully and it was all over. Beds were left 4 runs short.

So it was detention and lines for the Bedouins, but the good news was, they did it in the pub and were well entertained by a friendly Kinlet squad. There will be a return fixture in two weeks time were the Bedouins will have a chance to turn the tables.