Bedouins v Ashby Albion – Sunday 4 August

Ashby Albion win by 6 wickets

Since 2018 this fixture has always been a favourite, for both sides. And this year was no different!

Bedouins fielded a strong 11 including the return of Hill A and Mike George for his first game of the season. A very timely return to the field Georgey! Ashby had a team of 10 footballers, of which only 3 or 4 had played any type of cricket in the past, however for some, it wasn’t just the cricket they had travelled down for, as the weekend started for Ashby at 4pm on Friday evening trying our best to visit every watering hole in Worcester. A few sore heads, but a great weekend.

The toss was won by Hill J, skippering the Ashby side, and it was deemed that Ashby would put the Bedouins in to bat and bowl first. After the inevitable barrage of wides and no balls, Ashby found their range and good balls started to follow.

From a Bedouins point of view N.Smith and Lippitt opened the batting and got off to a very fast start. However, with Lippitt falling to a feather caught behind and Taylor for LBW, Jon Branch strode to the crease at Number 4 and we saw some of his usual lusty blows and not so quick singles. Jon was caught behind by the Ashby Skipper off the bowling of Sommerville for 21, including 5 meaty 4’s.

Other than a lovely knock from opener Neill Smith, the Bedouins batting limped along struggling to read the liquorice allsorts coming from the Ashby bowlers. Bastable (3), Hill (12) and Gregory (7) were the sorry story of the middle order.

A first game for Rob Bell in the Ashby side saw him remove N.Smith for 48 with a devilish ball that kept low and came back in, robbing the opening batsman of his half century – but a great knock. Bell himself then got Robinson out first ball, however the subsequent hat-trick ball to Mr Chairman wouldn’t have even troubled a second set of stumps to the leg side.

Bedouins innings was mopped up by Bullen who bowled 1 over, earning 2 wickets for no runs. Bedouins ended with a total of 131 All out.

Ashby opening batsman were initially cautious in the 2^nd innings with Anslow Senior and Bullen having a look before scoring runs. Robertson and Bastable opened the bowling for the Beds with Robertson once again pick of the bowlers gaining the wickets of Bullen and Bell, ending with figures of 2 wickets for 11 runs off 7 overs.

Taylor joined Anslow at the crease and looked in good nick and a partnership was building until injury took it’s toll to Taylor who retired hurt on 28. The aggressive Makepeace was next out to bat alongside Price who both fell to smart bowling by Lippitt. Special mention to Anslow Senior who retired out with his half century under his belt.

So it was down to Usher and Anslow Junior to finish things off, both carrying their bat, Usher with 3 runs and Anslow with 12. Ashby Albion finished off with 132 runs with 6 wickets to spare.

The day ended with a few drinks and much needed food, the shield was handed over to the Skipper for Ashby for another year.

A huge Thank You for all the donations, including donations from players and friends who were unable to make the day. A grand total of £435.00 raised, with all money going directly to Ovarian Cancer Action. Same again next year!

Bedouins v Austin’s Army – Wednesday 31 July

Bedouins win by 10 wickets

The last Wednesday in July ended with a very hot evening at home against Austin’s Army.

The team was a strong one this week, with Martyn Smith coming in at the 11^th hour after Fellows had unfortunately had work commitments.

The toss was lost by the skipper, and Austin couldn’t get the words ‘we’ll bat’ out of his mouth fast enough, as it was picture perfect conditions for batting, and by the first looks of Austin’s 11, it looked as though a big first innings score could be on the cards. How wrong we were…

When the first ball was clipped through mid-wicket, it looked like a long night, however the wickets soon started to come. Opening bowlers Bastable and Robertson got things going, with Bastable finishing with 1 wicket for 23 off his 3 overs, but Micky Robbo was pick of the bowlers with 4 wickets for just 9 runs off his 4 overs.

It was great to see Ex-skipper Bywater back in the side, however not so much for Robbo. With a chance for a fantastic hat-trick and the field closing in, the new batsman half volleyed a dolly straight to short mid-off where Lee shelled one of the easiest chances you’ll ever see. Head in hands for 11 Bedouins! There was a half excuse for a bump ball, but it was flush off the bat in my opinion, and should have seen Lee at the bar at the end of the game with his wallet open!

Wickets continued to tumble, with Lee himself picking up 1 wicket for 14 runs and Martyn Smith picking up 3 wickets for 5 runs off just 9 balls. Some fantastic bowling, fielding and catching all round. It ended after just 11 overs with Austin’s Army scoring just 52 runs.

N. Smith and Lippitt opened up the batting and after seeing off some fierce opening bowling, saw the Bedouins over the line without losing a wicket within 11 overs.

As usual, a good game against Austin’s guys, on what was a very pleasant evening at Enville.