Pedmore v Bedouins – 21 June 2023

Bedouins won by 28 runs

So it has been very rude of me not to welcome some ‘new’ and not so new names to the Bedouins ranks. Firstly, our left arm wizard Micky Robbo has finally decided he is not that tight and become a fully fledged member. I think he felt bad after winning the bowling figures last year. We told him that you only got the wine if you paid your subs. That’s £45 a bottle then Micky……and i hear that Stanier has still not delivered.

We met Chris Bastable in the last game – talented …..lets not big him up too much. Not hard to look talented in the Bedouins.

Also we had Dave Ellerton settle right in by getting himself injured whilst ‘Dogging’ or at least that’s what he told me. Although he did say the dog is ok. Dave made his debut early in the season and is actually mobile so see you at deep point when you are back pal.

Julian Fellows made his debut up at Pedmore and we will look forward to seeing his batting talents moving forward. I am reliably informed that he was somewhat of a cricket superstar in his younger years. It appears that that talent has followed him into ‘middle age’. See look how i am being nice. Apparently he has a glamorous career which is why I am watching what I say. I am not going to say what he does. I am just going to point out that my favourite tv show is ‘Airwolf’. nod nod wink wink.

Chris Ludlow also made a debut against Pedmore. Although skip restricted his access to the action it is clear that there is a talented cricketer there. I can say that honestly after being clattered around winter nets for two months. You are very welcome.

So…..following on from last weeks improvement what could we do this week with all this new talent.

Well we only went and bloody won!

Skip went out and did as only skip could do losing his 425675638 toss in a row and being put into bat.

Lippitt shocked us all getting a duck and Branch was out soon after on 17. Then my hard rocking amigo’s it all clicked. Smith, Bywater and Stanier all retired 33,31 and 30 to put on a competitive total.

Smith did try to kill Bywater by making him run all of his total but despite a couple of cancelled ‘code blue’ calls, several oxygen tanks and one kiss of life. Bywater made the single he needed…..no i am only joking. Like flying ferrets they were…..back and forth…..Smith hitting five boundaries and Bywater just the three. Not very often the big lad tots them up like that.

Staniers innings was one of class and form. Like a conductor with his orchestra he played a tune that made Pedmore wither.

Fellows joined and showed some sharp running between the wicket, nudging and knocking 13 not out…..we look forward to more.

142 was set. The captain excited and game on!

Pedmore are always ready to go. And go they went…straight at the Beds attack. despite losing Grainger early on 11, both Holt and McGahey retired quickly on their 30’s.

That was as good as got though for the gents. Impressive bowling from all of the Bedouins kept the run rate steady and low. Two wickets from Stanier and Robertson complimented one from Gregory.

With over 30 runs needed from the last couple of overs the question only remained who was bowling.

A batting heavy side and injuries has caused a small dilemma but in the end Skip brought himself on with his bad shoulder to throw some grenades and Lippo tidied up at the other end. Pedmore could only muster 114.

I must give credit to Pedmore. They always give us a game. The pitch is always immaculate and they do not compromise the spirit of cricket just to get a result. Today their skip got a chance to play with his young son. Not more than 12 years old it would be easy to stick him in the deep and chase a result. Thats’s not what Pedmore do….They play like the Beds. So Max not only followed in his dad at 7 in the order but also gave a mean bowling spell from the top end. One for the future lads……watch out.

Great game, great curry, great company and an invite back in a few weeks. Thank you Pedmore for a great evening

Bedouins v Beacon – 14 June 2023

Beds lost by 29 runs

Whenever you go on a bad run you always try to look for the positives. The Bedouins had not been on form but today would be a turning point in the season.

Skip had been practicing the toss this week with a two sided coin. He still managed to lose to himself. Beacon took advantage of his bad form and Bedouins were fielding.

Beacon always bring a competitive side ready for a battle. However, they bring it in the right mentality and play for fun just like the Beds. That’s why we invite them back every year. Today was no exception. Beacon set off like tanks pummelling the opposition and Forster (27) and Gowan(29) got them off to a flyer. Golden (19) and Harvey (15) kept the score board moving.

Bywater was out of sorts. Still suffering with injury to his shoulder. Dr Mike George had previously diagnosed a torn rotator cuff and Skip started to believe that may be the case so after getting tickled all around the ground, withdrew from the firing squad.

Bastable made a bowling debut and looked right at home. I was told he had not played for a while due to ongoing injuries. I assured him he would fit in well with the Beds and was welcome in our 8 man slip cordon. Clearly some talent there. The Beds will beat it out of him eventually.

Robertson, Lippitt and Branch would support the skip with some tremendous bowling. Bedouins had started to take wickets and the mood was lifting. Unfortunately though the Beacon boys scored as they lost wickets, keeping the score board moving.

The Beacon tail wagged and Curtis hit 19 before the 10 men of beacon were finished in the last over.

Robertson 4 overs 3 wickets for 15, Branch 4 overs 2 for 23 and an inspired Lippitt 2 over 3 wickets for 21 finally gave some fight to the Bedouins season.

Beacon had put on 143……an above par score. This would be tough.

Bedouins actually made a good go of chasing that 143 down. Only Six batsmen used. Branch (30) was back on his usual top form. Lippitt went early on 12. Smith battled to 27 with some tight bowling coming his way and Stanier showed us all how to do it by retiring on 32.

Encouragement was the word i had found here. Yes we only got to 114 but our heads had not dropped and we showed some fight. Enough to impress another potential new recruit…….more of that later

Much socialising and stories ended the night and we look forward to seeing Beacon again later in the season. Well done to them on today’s victory.

Bedouins v Kinlet – 31st May 2023

Kinlet won

Some of the older Bedouins fixtures really get the adrenaline flowing and its fair to say that Kinlet would fit that category. Legendary matches with tight finishes and competitive but friendly summer evenings. We all look forward to this game despite the fact that Kinlet seem to get the better of us slightly more than we do of them.

Skip has given up with tosses. He can’t win them. Skip had clearly been feeling the pressure, unfit, lacking the answers to change the flow of the season so he decided a new tactic again at this match. This time it was “be late from work and let someone else try to win the toss and pick the batting order’. It worked….almost.

I’m not sure who won the toss as I didn’t make that bit but Jono had set everything up which i was very grateful for. He had even sorted the batting order. I was impressed……makings of a future Skipper? Maybe….

Bedouins were in to bat and the outfield was…..slightly shorter than last week.

Branch unusually went early on for just 8 runs. Lippitt though followed his recent good form probing the boundary on his way to another 30 retired.

Kinlet mixed up the bowling as they usually like to and the wickets were evenly spread. This seems to be a winning formula. Bedouins would adopt this tactic if half the teams shoulders and backs were not out….

Contributions from Hill (20) and Stanier (9 not out) were the highlights of a rather steady Bedouins total. The low light was a first ball duck from the Skip……again rushing for the buffet.

Bedouins came up with a below par 84 and Kinlet had victory in their sights.

Bishop and R Crook led the Kinlet chase and both made batting look easy. Bishop retiring on 30, crook on 33. It didn’t take many overs to be honest. Bywater nursing a torn shoulder, Gregory, Hill and Robertson managed to stretch the punishment out to 16 overs with Robertson being the most effective. 4 overs 2 for 18 not a bad return considering the conditions.

Unfortunately that was about as exciting as the resistance got. 84 was ‘never enough’ and Kinlet knocked them off with ease.

Skip was left scratching his head and rubbing his arm…….wondering when things would improve.

Great game Kinlet, we look forward to seeing you again soon.