Bedouins v Enville “A”  at Enville – Wednesday 10th August 2011

Beds lost by 9 wickets

Gazing out over the rooftops of Kidderminster towards the dreaming spires of Sainsbury’s and thinking about last night’s game against Enville “A”, the image that pops up again and again is the flashing blade of Mr Robert Lock. The term “flashing blade” is often associated with an innings from the likes of K.P. and although Locky himself would probably admit  he’s not quite ready to play for England (not at his age anyway), his style of batting could certainly be described as suitably swashbuckling, especially for a Bedouin, and I for one thoroughly enjoyed watching his knock last night. It’s all about the flourish.

Bedouins were taking on a very strong Enville side, lead by usual Bedouins opening bat, John Branch (Mr Enville). It was an Enville side that also contained Bedouins opening bowler, Spratley and all-rounders Goodman and Lockley. Hence Bedouins fielded a guest – Simon Guest – who Bedouins know well from times when his usual side Kinlet have put the Bedouins to the sword.

With Beds put into bat, Hill J. and Gregory gave the side a reasonably solid start although the former was well bowled for 5. Gregory was looking well set and Johnston, in at three, played a sweet straight drive off Spratley for 4 that will have given the batsman some satisfaction, although shortly after the bowler had his revenge; Johnston skying the ball to the wicket keeper when on 6.

Bywater has been struggling to repeat his superb form with the bat from last season but when he came to the wicket at no. 4, he immediately looked at ease. It was unfortunate that soon after he got there, Gregory (16) top edged to Spratley, who took a good catch just behind square leg. Guest (1), who we know can bat, may have felt the pressure of being the debutant as he succumbed whilst trying to inject some pace into a flagging run rate.

The demise of Hancock, bowled for 6 (shame, he’d just found the boundary with a lusty 4) meant Bedouins were 46 for 5 in the 13th over.  Enter Rob “Chevalier” Lock to join Bywater and the two of them started to find the boundary regularly. They had to really, with Lock’s running between the wickets hampered by dodgy knees and ankles. Bywater eventually retired on 30 leaving Pearson (1) to support the rampaging Lock, who was stumped off the last ball of the innings for 24. Beds finished 98 for 6.

Looking at the batting in the Enville side, you had to think that 98 was going to be a tough total to defend and so it turned out. There was to be little joy for the Beds bowlers although they all stuck to the task well. Beds found it hard to remove the Enville openers Branch (30 retired) and Goodman (31 retired), although George (0 for 14 from 4 overs) looked the most dangerous of the bowlers at the start.

Branch junior was in at three for Enville and he launched a 6 to deep square leg that had the Bedouettes diving for cover from their sunbathing position. For a nasty moment it looked like we’d get no tea….

Pearson (0 for 38) took some stick from the batsmen and Guest took the only wicket for the Bedouins and finished with 1 for 10 off 2. Currie was tight conceding only one run from his first two overs but by then it was just a matter of time before Enville reached their target and indeed they did that in the 18th over.

Still, it was a beautiful evening for a game of cricket and hopefully there will be more swashbuckling to come from the Bedouins when they entertain North Park on their tour match. It was great too, to see Enville legend, Fred Hodges on the pitch (second game on the trot). Older than Vernon Currie but still sprinting around the outfield. Remarkable.

Now, does anyone else remember The Flashing Blade……