Kinlet v Bedouins at Moffat School – Wednesday, 13 June 2012

Bedouins win by 4 wickets

This seasons skipper Branch kept his 100% winning record with an away win at Kinlet. It was a good team performance from the Bedouins in a game that was finely poised and keenly contested throughout and played in the fabulous surroundings of Moffats school. You’d be hard pressed to find a more rural setting for a game of cricket.

Susman (shoulder) and Hill A. (back) were both out through injury, with both facing a late fitness test before running away to Tenerife with the tea ladies. Captain of Vice, George, was back in the side after his sojourn to Egypt. Thinking about it, where was the tan? Did he leave his hotel room at all? Lock was also back in the side.

Kinlet like to play a form of the game where everybody bowls two overs and batsmen retire at 25. That suited the Bedouins who had a strong side of all-rounders out. That and the fact that the wicket was playing low and slow meant the ball was hard to get away.

Kinlet batted first with their opening partnership realising 35 runs. George opened the bowling with the rather interesting bright pink ball and only conceded 3 runs from his two overs. The trip away obviously did him good. He even managed to hold two catches in the deep – something has concentrated his mind.

Bowling and fielding was generally well executed apart from a dropped catch from Lock (there’s always one from the Bedouins) and there were wickets for Bywater, Gregory, Lock, Hancock and Spratley. This saw Kinlet kept to a score of 92 for the loss of six wickets on what is usually a high scoring ground.

Bedouins started the run chase with Branch and Lippitt at the crease. Both made the retirement mark of 25 and this gave the Bedouins a good solid start. There followed, however, the sort of mini collapse that was witnessed in the previous home game. A worrying trend for the Bedouins. Woodhouse departed first ball, followed by Gregory for a duck and also Hill J. for a duck. This meant Bedouins had gone from 42 for no wicket to 48 for 3.

The pressure was now on. Bywater was anchoring one end but runs were needed, and quickly. Enter The Flashing Blade. Lock was not going to die wondering and launched the ball over long on for six. This was followed next ball by a four and the Bedouins were back in the game.

Beds inched ever closer to their target but Lock was bowled when on 11 at which point Hancock marched to the crease and continued to take the game to Kinlet with two lusty blows to the boundary for 4. The target was reached in the 19th over with Bywater finishing on 7 not out and Hancock hitting the winning run and finishing 9 not out.

A good win for the Bedouins then with Kinlet being hard to beat on their own ground (in fact, on any ground). The Beds were then made very welcome, as usual, at the Eagle and Serpent for a beer and a bite to eat. Thanks to Francis and the boys for their kind hospitality.

Match photos available here.

Bedouins v RWE at Enville – Wednesday, 23 May 2012

Bedouins won by 6 runs

After a dismal start to the 2012 season, with their first three fixtures being called off due to the weather, the Bedouins finally got their campaign underway with a home fixture against RWE – otherwise known as the Karl Aston XI.

Karl was unfortunately not able to be there to manage his team due to illness and The Bedouins wish him well for a speedy recovery. However, on a warm and sunny night, his RWE side pushed the Bedouins hard and it turned out to be quite a close finish.

Beds stalwarts Pearson and Currie were sidelined to long term injuries which meant Paul Lippitt and Ian Woodhouse were welcomed back into the side; both renowned for their hard hitting. As it turned out, both were to play a crucial part.

Bedouins batted first with new skipper Branch leading from the front, joined at the crease by Paul Lippitt. Both made good inroads into the RWE bowling until Branch (18) could be considered a little unlucky to be bowled by what could have been best described as a no-ball.

Lippitt continued to play his usual attacking game supported by Susman until the former reached the retirement figure of 30. Woodhouse followed him in and continued on the same theme, despatching the ball to the boundary at regular intervals until he too retired on 31. Susman played around a straight ball when on 12 and then what followed could only be described as a collapse with Bedouins plummeting from 110 for 2 in the 15th over to finish on 124 for 7; Gregory and Hill J picking up ducks. Still, a reasonable total.

Top bowling performance for RWE was Kareshi with an impressive 4 for 5 from 3 overs.

At 6 for 2, the RWE reply looked like it may not get going, thanks to opening bowlers Spratley and Bywater; the former taking two wickets in his first two overs. Mohammed turned things around for RWE with an undeafeted 30 and the rest of the side dug in. Kareshi, who was probably man of the match also retired on 30 and towards the end, it looked like RWE might pinch the game. Eventually though they fell 6 runs short.

Pick of the Bedouins bowling was Spratley with 3 for 15 from his 4 overs and Gregory with 2 for 3 from 2 overs. Ferguson is making something of a reputation for himself with a feat Bedouins are not particularly famous for – catching the ball. He held two catches on the night, the second of which involved a lot of diving and rolling around on the ground – great stuff.

So a victory for Branch in his first game as captain. The Beds now start thinking about the trip to Moffat School to play Kinlet on a ground where they have never performed well. Who knows, maybe this time.

Alveley v Bedouins at Alveley – Sunday, 21 August 2011

Beds win by  55 runs

Bedouins finished their 2011 season with a trip to Alveley for a 30 over-a-side game on a pleasantly sunny Sunday afternoon.

Thomas and Ferguson were back in the side, with Lock and Branch otherwise engaged and Currie picking up fares around the Midlands. Johnston’s dodgy knee got the better of him again.

Alveley do a superb job on preparing and looking after their ground. I believe it won the award for Best Kept Ground in Shropshire this season, and it looks like it too.

Bedouins batted first, cheered on by a vast travelling support, mostly Bedouettes, mostly sunning themselves. As usual, Hill A. was first up, forming a new opening partnership with Ferguson (left). Hill A. (pictured above) wasted no time and went off like an express train, hitting boundary after boundary on a very fast outfield. It saved him having to run on his dodgy foot. Ferguson was a little more cautious at the other end and was bowled for 10.

The usually reliable Thomas, in at three, failed to trouble the scorers, which brought Gregory to the crease. He supported Hill A. on his demolition of the Alveley bowling until the latter was finally bowled for 40. Boom Boom Bywater was back to his old self and looked in little trouble however Gregory succumbed when on 11.

Spratley made an elegant 20 and showed why he’s moving up the batting order but his demise brought Hancock to the wicket. Hancock has struggled to live up to the name of his bat this season (Destroyer) after the promise of last season. Things didn’t improve here with a golden duck. Confidence is low, every batsman goes through it but it’s nothing that a winter in the nets won’t solve or a half-hour in the showers with Captain of Vice.

Bywater (right) proved he was back on form retiring on 51 and Susman (31) and Hill J. (14) had some fun in the last few overs, the latter making the spectators dive for cover at times. Pearson will have done his average good finishing with 2 not out. Bedouins totalled 197 for 8.

At this point tea was taken and rather splendid it was too. Bedouins then prepared themselves for a hard session in the field and hard it proved to be with Alveley’s opening pair finding it easy to pick up runs, making good use of the lightening quick outfield. Opening bowlers Spratley  (0 for 29) and Pearson (0 for 35) both found it hard to contain the Alveley pair and they were 66 for 0 after ten overs.

At this point Alveley looked favourites but as we all know a wicket can change the game drastically. Thomas made the break through having Twigg caught behind on 39. He was economical too and finished with 1 for 17 from 5 overs. George had a brief spell at the other end before retiring with a bad back (we’ve told you about abstaining the night before a game). He did manage to snap up the wicket of the other opener, Jones D. for 43. A vicious caught and bowled that may have caused serious damage if he hadn’t got his hands to it.

Susman took over from the injured George (left) and wickets were now starting to tumble regularly. Gregory attacked from the other end and took a wicket is his second over. The ball was pulled  to square leg to the waiting Ferguson, who positioned himself under the ball. The ball popped into his hands and straight out again (a common sight with the Bedouins) however he snaffled it at the second attempt. A good effort with the ball coming out of the sun. He then repeated exactly the same feat (though this time without the hinderance of the sun) to much hilarity a couple of overs later off Susman.

There was little left in the way of resistance from Alveley after their openers apart from a couple of sixes; one from Childs and one from Butler but Alveley never really looked like hitting their target and in the end were 55 runs short. Susman finished with 3 for 20 from 5 overs and Gregory 1 for 11 from 5. Bywater had also chipped in with a wicket in his 3 overs.

A great way then to finish another Bedouins season against another friendly and hospitable side. It’s been enjoyable as always with a lot of laughter along the way and we’ve added a couple of new faces to the squad who have fitted in well. We will now look forward to the AGM and Duck supper in November – details to be announced soon but it’s suggested you keep the first Tuesday and the last Friday of that month free. Well played everyone.

More photos available here.

Bedouins v SSP at Enville – Sunday, 14 August 2011

Beds win by 1 wicket

The Bedouins annual game against Jim Robinson and his SSP side is always a highlight in the fixtures and has produced some exciting games in the past. Lately, the majority have swung the way of the side from Halifax. Last year, Bedouins had put themselves in a good position to win the game, and then blew it. Hence, there was a determination this year to do better.

The Bedouins side consisted of the usual suspects, with Hill A sporting some very dandy new boots and Steve McNally (OpenGI) recruited to add some strength in the batting department. Branch was off on a jolly somewhere.

George was skipper again and led the boys onto the field with SSP batting first. Spratley was first up with the new ball and as is usual with him, was most economical. At the other end, Pearson very nearly took the prized wicket of Dobson J. with his first ball, with the batsman edging through the slips. Three balls later though and Pearson (pictured) had his man clean bowled. A great start for the Beds.

The Beds managed to restrict a quality SSP top order well. Dobson T. has usually manages an untroubled retirement against the Bedouins and looked like he might do so again until he was undone by a combination of Susman and Hill J., being stumped on 27. The Beds could have been slightly daunted by the fact that the fall of a wicket only brought another quality batsman to the crease. However the fielding side stuck to the task well and managed to take wickets at regular intervals and allowed none of the SSP batsmen to get to the retirement figure of 50.

Bywater had a torrid start to his spell with his second over going for 12 but he came back strongly, taking the wicket of Oldnall for 32 but this left the dangerous pairing of Molyneux and Al-Chalaby at the wicket. Both batsmen looked set for 50 but Spratley came back for a second spell and it was he who removed Molyneux for 39 with the aid of an excellent catch from Lock, who took the ball low to the ground whilst what could only be described as collapsing in a heap. Elegant.

Al-Chalaby fell to a catch behind by Hill J. off the bowling of George for 44, most of which had come in boundaries. The steady fall of wickets meant that SSP went from 160 for 4 in the 30th over to end with 192 for 9. There was even a last ball run out by Hill J. as pictured. Catches were held by Pearson and George as well as the odd dropped chance by players un-named, but you’d expect that with the Beds wouldn’t you?

The pick of the bowlers were Gregory (2 for 11 from 5), Spratley (1 for 17 from  7), Pearson (2 for 35 from 7) and Bywater, who despite that one dodgy over finished with 1 for 24 from his 7 overs. As last year, a good fielding performance and the Bedouins had given themselves a fighting chance.

After a wonderful tea and cake interval (thanks to the Bedouettes!) it was Hill A and McNally who strode to the wicket to launch an assault on the SSP total. And a brutal assault it was too. Hill A. was faced with the undoubted pace of Al-Chalaby and it took a few of balls to weigh things up but then he started to connect, no doubt spurred on by the chirping of the wicket keeper. Hill A. (pictured) played some brutal shots and found the boundary regularly. He was eventually caught on 29.

Gregory and Bywater followed and made 12 and 10 respectively both falling to a catch. Meanwhile McNally was looking very solid and indeed he progressed to 50 with very little trouble. His retirement saw Hancock enter the fray. Unfortunately he had to face SSP’s devilish young spinner who bamboozled him before he could get off the mark.

Spratley (23) (below, right) was promoted in the order having shown some prowess in recent innings and he didn’t disappoint. A partnership of 52 with Susman (33) (below, left) put the Beds in a position to go on and win the game.  and when the later was bowled, the batting side where 172 for 5 needing just 21 more runs from the last 7 overs.

Nothing is ever straight forward with the Beds and at this point the runs dried up. It’s never easy for the new batsman to go in at the end of an innings, chasing runs, and when Spratley was bowled, Hill J and Pearson had to try and keep the score moving. Hence Hill J (8) and Pearson (4) were both run out trying to steal singles although they both added some valuable runs. Skipper George helped the cause with a well-timed 4 before being caught.

All this left the Beds needing one run to win with one wicket in hand 8 balls to go. McNally had to come back in which was unfortunate as he’d already got changed. The nerves jangled of those watching as Lock faced but the Flashing Blade showed no fear and stroked the winning run (pictured above) to send the rest of the team into raptures.

A super tea followed, again thanks to the hard work of the Nicki, Lauren, Jo and Sylvia and it was soon time for Jim and friends to make the long trip back up north. They are a great team to play. Always good competition, always playing to win, but always sporting and friendly to boot. We will look forward to making the trip north next year when no doubt SSP will look for revenge and will want to win back the Rasche shield. Until then though, it’s ours!

Photos available here.

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……

Enville Over 40s v Bedouins at Envile – Thursday, 28 July 2011

Beds win by 87 runs

Bedouins finally got back to winning ways with a comfortable victory against Enville Over 40s. Was it a coincidence that there was also a change in skipper? George is now promoted from Vice to Captain for the rest of the season so we’ll see.

There was little team news to report. Hill A is now likely to be out for the rest of the season and Branch was away on a tour so Woodhouse was back in the side and Lock made another welcome appearance.

This will be a brief report as head of communications was out with Hill A last night and is feeling a little jaded. Bedouins batted first and were never in any trouble. Enville fielded a mature side and many had not played cricket for a good few years. Hence the bowling was maybe a little charitable. Pearson, promoted to open with Hill J, made 6 before being caught, however the latter again demonstrated his strength and timing by hitting two sixes over the cover boundary. Quite remarkable. He retired on 31.

Woodhouse followed suit and retired on 34. Susman and Bywater also got amongst the runs with 22 and 24 respectively. Spratley (5) and Johnston (1) both finished not out and the Beds amassed 143.

The Enville reply never really got going even though the Beds elected to bowl two overs each as Enville had done. The highlights were Spratley with 2 for 2 from 3 overs and Hancock with 2 for 10 from 2 overs he was on a hat trick). Pearson didn’t concede a single run from his two overs, Currie was economical with his 1 for 2 and George similarly with his 1 for 1 from 2.

Enville were 57 for 6 at the end of their 20 overs. The two teams will meet again next week although one would suspect Enville will be fielding more of their regular players as they will be back from their tour. Many thanks to Enville for the tea laid on after the game.

Bedouins v Pedmore House at Enville – Wednesday, 20 July 2011

Beds lost by 11 runs

The Bedouins relegation form continued with a home defeat to Austin Gregory’s Pedmore House side (note to self – bat Gregory at 11 next game). If the Bedouins were a league side, they would now be eyeing mid-table mediocrity with a sense of longing. However, who cares? We don’t play league cricket, because it’s far too serious.

Team news was that Johnston sat this one out with a dodgy knee, Thomas sat it out as the Skipper hadn’t got a clue where he was and George had a note from his mum excusing him from the game because he was feeling a little delicate. This meant that Rob Lock was again drafted into the side to add some crafty tweaking. Did I tell you he had trials for Warwickshire in his youth? Ferguson was unavoidably detained in a meeting and so Beds again fielded 10 men.

Pedmore House batted first by default due to late arrivals with the ever reliable Spratters taking the new ball and getting through his four overs to finish with 1 for 9. Pearson could consider himself unlucky to finish wicketless with 4 overs for 31 having had two catches dropped off his bowling early on. Hill A. and Currie the culprits, although if Hill A. had been wearing his new boots that jnr had left at home, he would undoubtedly have held the chance.

Skip put himself on after Spratters and he claimed the scalp of Gregory to finish with 2 overs 1 for 4. Currie at the other end was bowling well and indeed had a wicket maiden in his 4 overs 3 for 30 and those figures would have been more impressive had he not conceded 18 runs in his last over. Woodhouse accounted for a lot of those runs but was eventually caught on the deep square leg boundary buy the skipper who was mightily relieved to hold onto it. It doesn’t happen often these days.

In a moment of inspired captaincy, the skipper removed himself from the attack and turned to Bywater who took a wicket with his first ball, neatly removing off stump. Even he wasn’t to escape punishment; his last over going for 11 with the PH tail wagging. He finished with 1 for 26 from 4 overs.

Lock turned his arm for a couple of overs and claimed a wicket with the aid of a catch behind the stumps from Hill J., finishing with 1 for 10. PH totalled 115, a gettable score for the Bedouins.

Maybe not….. the Bedouins reply was not great. Admittedly PH opened the bowling with an Amblecote first-teamer but he didin’t actually claim a wicket, it was, of course Gregory who did most of the damage with 3 for 20 from 4 overs (another note to self, Gregory gets one over, if that, next game). Hill A. (13) was his first victim, having his off stump removed. He was closely followed by Hill J. and Bywater. Meanwhile Branch looked untroubled and eventually retired on 31.

The middle order though was collapsing like Ronaldo in the penalty area and Hancock departed for 1 having edged the pacey Shaz to the keeper’s gloves. Hopes of a comeback were dashed when the skipper’s skipper’s innings came to an abrupt halt on health grounds. Pearson registered 0 and Currie 8 and at 81 for 5 in the 17th over it all looked done and dusted.

There was one upside to all this. Spratters, for once having a chance to shine with the bat, did so in some style and for a moment (just a moment) it looked like Beds might get close to their target, however it was not to be. Sprats finished with 24 not out including a super 6 (up the order maybe?) and Lock was 2 not out. 104 for 6 was the total. A deserved win for Pedmore House who kindly laid on Fish & Chips for all.

Bedouins may now wonder where the next win will come from as they face Enville twice in a row and finish the season with tough games against our friends from Halifax and Alveley. Oh well, as they say at Brentford “keep the faith”.

Bedouins v Kinlet at Enville – Wednesday, 29 June 2011

Beds lost by 109 runs

Spratters writes:

The evening began with a sky reminiscent of the one depicted in John Constable’s ‘Chain Pier’ which soon gave way to a mixture of Cummulo Nimbus and Cirrus clouds emerging from over Enville Hall.

But anyway that’s quite enough of that b******* , now for the cricket.

Firstly, as in the away game against Kinlet on 15th June, the Beds only fielded 10 men. However, they fielded 11 players. How was this possible?  Well, history was made, (as far as I know), by the inclusion of the first lady Bedouin, Katie Roberts, of Enville and Old Hill. Correct me if I am wrong Mr. Susman. (Not Katie being a lady but being the first lady Bedouin). [Checking it out – skip]

John Warner, Bedouins legend, answers the point of contention above: “Kim (Warner) and Jo Hill did play in the 80s at Romsley, and I think that it was John Swithenby’s girlfriend who played either against Landers or Ombersley and took a great catch. Possibly Bernard George’s daughter played a game in the early days, but I cannot be sure.”

Kinlet won the toss and elected to bat. Possibly because four of them had yet to turn up. (It would have been better if they hadn’t.)  It was an encouraging start, with Spratters and Gregory taking the first 8 overs, during which Spratters took 1 for 10 with a dazzling display of mediocre swing bowling, and Gregory went for 24, Kinlet beginning to open up during his last over.  34 off 8 seemed quite respectable but then the opposition began to launch into their attack. Roberts and Pearson came on first change, returning figures of 0 for 20 off 2 and 0 for 23 off 3 respectively. Vice vice vice vice skipper Bywater replaced Roberts at the Kinver end, and made a breakthrough in his first over, an edge behind cleanly taken by keeper Hill jr.  Unfortunately the scoring rate increased leaving skip with 3 overs, 1 for 37. Currie replaced Pearson, finishing with 3 overs 0 for 37 and Woodhouse 1 over 1 for 11. Kinlet finished with 167 for 3. A formidable total.

Kinlet took to the field thinking they had this game in the bag, but they hadn’t reckoned on the batting genius that is John Branch.  Unfortunately John Branch wasn’t playing so they were absolutely right.  Austin Gregory and Richard Garner opened and made a positive start until Gregory was bowled for 4 and Garner fell c&b for 1. Things seemed to be picking up with a partnership between Hill jr. and Woodhouse, the former hitting 2 handsome boundaries. Unfortunately Woodhouse was out c&b for 7 and Hill jr. bowled for 18. Next came Johnston, out for a duck and then our leader, Mr Bywater, who after impressively taking a middle guard, was also bowled for a duck. (Good name for a duck eh? By water. Geddit?)  Katie Roberts had just settled down on the bench and completed only 2 rows of knitting when she was called upon for the no.7 slot. Looking good until caught behind for 5 , during which time Hancock made a spirited 5 and Spratters 6. Currie hung around and made 2, before being run out and Pearson 2 not out, brought the Beds to the heady heights of a staggering 58 all out.

So, in a nutshell, we lost. And Kinlet won. But I reckon they were just lucky.

Spratters