SSP v Bedouins at Blackley CC – Sunday, 12 August 2012
Bedouins lost by 23 runs
Mr Chairman writes:
The Bedouins had their second game within a week at Halifax against SSP. The annual meeting with “our friends from the north” proved just a step too far, with the Beds going down to a mostly very young and fit side by a mere 23 runs in a high-scoring 40-over game. Having suffered the late withdrawal of one of its all-rounders, the Beds side also had the misfortune to lose the all-round services of their beloved skipper during the game, as “one step too far” took on a new and sinister meaning for JB.
Happily, quite a number of Beds had decided to make a weekend of it, with the Huddersfield North Premier Inn as the base for a bit of R&R. A two-night stay there left one or two somewhat bleary eyed on Monday morning, but all agreed that it was worth it.
The match enjoyed a new venue. Blackley CC has a ground situated just alongside junction 24 of the M62. Facilities are excellent, the pitch well prepared, the outfield fast and true, and the scorebox well situated with electronic facilities to hand for those who know how to use them. Plus, the Blackley club members running the bar and doing the catering proved to be good at their job and extremely welcoming. All together, therefore, a terrific new location.
SSP won the toss and opted to bat. Opening the bowling downwind and downhill, Lee Bywater showed definite signs of steam coming out of his ears in a six-over burst that yielded only 14 runs. At the other end the skipper of vice, Mike George, was taking just the occasional hit until posted to the nether reaches of the boundary to nurse a damaged fetlock.
Bostin’ Austin took over uphill and bamboozled a few batsmen with his variations of pace. He finished an excellent 8-over spell with 1 for 25. Spratters took over downhill and had 8 tidy overs to take 1 for 30, and Dave Pearson kept things tight towards the end with 4 overs costing just19. Meantime, Mr Mackay Bywater had returned to complete his 8 overs with 2 for 22.
By now John Branch’s knee had packed up, so we couldn’t have his valued “death” bowling. Our late substitute, Sean Emmett, an old school friend of Adrian Susman’s (let’s face it, all his school friends are now going to be “old”), was volunteered to take the final overs and, untrained as he was, took a bit of a mauling from SSP’s young and hard-hitting batsmen. But he stuck to the task with a grin.
The end result was a 40-over score of 228 for 4, with Tom Mawer and Steve Waddington both reaching the retirement 50, Ian Clayton 36 and Tony Dobson 25.
In reply, openers Paul Lippitt and Lee Bywater (with Branchy unable to take further part) found themselves up against a quick and hostile opener, who was fortunately whipped off by SSP skipper John Dobson after 4 overs, 1 for 4, before he could do any more physical damage. But not before Lee had been dismissed for 6.
After Lippo was out for 24, Adrian Susman and Austin Gregory came together to add 78 for the third wicket, but both fell just short of the 50 mark, for 48 and 47 respectively. Adrian had shown an inclination not to over-exert himself, with his first seven scoring shots going for boundaries.
Andy Hill and Tony Hancock both made a valuable 22 and Spratters 17, but the Beds innings ended on 205 for 9, just 23 runs short of the target.
So SSP regained the Rasche Trophy, and one and all retreated to the pavilion to enjoy a superb buffet supper and watch the rain sheeting down as the gloom descended over Blackley; in no time, the lashing rain meant that the wicket couldn’t even be seen from the pavilion. A few thanks were expressed, in particular to SSP for their hospitality and to Blackley Cricket Club for providing such a warm welcome, and then it was back to the pub alongside the Premier Inn for a few quick snifters before a retreat to the bedroom to watch the closing ceremony – of the Olympics, that is, not the Beds v SSP game!
Another most enjoyable Beds “tour”, and another opportunity to underline the enjoyment that Beds get from just being in each other’s company.
Photos available in the archive here. With thanks to Mike George for snapping the match shots.