Bedouins v Open GI at Enville – Wednesday, 10 July 2013
Bedouins lost by 6 wickets
Bedouins had managed to retain the Open GI shield for the last 8 years or so, so was it coincidence that the one time Mr Chairman was absent due to heart surgery, the Bedouins let the trophy slip from their grasp? No, they just weren’t good enough.
For starters the Beds took to the field with only ten men and actually finished with only 9 with Tommy Allcock pulling his back and having to retire. Bate made a welcome return to the side and George made his first appearance of the season. Gregory had gone for an audience with the Pope. The Pope said he felt blessed and honoured to have met such a fine religious icon.
Beds batted first with Bate promoted to open with skipper Branch. Hill A. volunteered to drop down the order following an uncharacteristic poor run of form. It soon became clear that Open GI had not read the rules and had brought some seriously good cricketers with them, particularly the opening bowlers who only conceded 22 runs off the first eight overs. During this spell Bate had been bowled when on 3.
The change of bowling saw Beds pick up the pace with Brach and Woodhouse pushing the score up to 58 for 1 from 11 overs. Woodhouse is now in fine form with the bat and retired on 34. The skipper was caught when on 19.
Hill A. (3) didn’t fare much better batting at four although he did fall to a great catch on the long on boundary and on any other part of the ground the ball may well have gone for six.
It was again Hill J. who was showing the old farts how to bat. His 28 not out included a couple of lusty fours and one huge majestic six straight back over the bowlers head. He was supported for a while by Bywater (14) but Susman (a first ball duck) and Hancock (duck) failed to add anything to the score and Spratley finished one not out.
Bedouins innings ended on 112 for 6.
Open GI were quick out of the blocks with their innings with both of their opening batsmen announcing their intention not to hang around in the run chase. Bywater received some serious stick, going for 12 in his first over. He finished with 1 for 33.
Spratley fared a little better with 1 for 19 and it was he who took a great catch down on the cover boundary to remove one of the openers. Susman held a catch at mid-off off the bowling of Spratley but P.G. Woodhouse failed miserably with an attempt. If we’re honest it wasn’t an easy chance but we need to give him stick for something.
Bedouins found it hard to take wickets and Open GI never seemed to be in any trouble and always looked likely to reach the Bedouins target with ease. Hill J. took a sharp stumping off the bowling of Susman and George showed a glimpse of his old form removing Mustafa’s off stump but there the wicket taking ended and Open GI won the game in the 17th over.
An enjoyable evening none the less although Bedouins injury list is now mounting up. Hancock (back), Lock (complete body), Branch (knee), Susman (no talent) are all a worry. Time for the Bedouins to reintroduce a youth policy surely and please, come back soon Mr Chairman.
Next game – Sunday July 14th v Kinlet. One wonders how the hell the Bedouins will get their injury-prone bodies through a 40 over a side match and get back to winning ways…..