Bedouins v Kinlet at Moffatt School – Wednesday, 11 June 2014

Beds win by 2 wickets

After two games lost to rain, the Bedouins recorded a rare 20-over win against Kinlet at the Moffatt School ground, out in the beautiful Shropshire countrywide, where sheep were grazing not quite so safely, with a short boundary on one side of the wicket, producing a few sixes during the game and putting the sheep in imminent danger.

The home side hit 105 for 6 in their 20 overs, with Mike George leading the way for the bowlers, with 2 for 5 in his 2 overs.  Krishna Balthu made a welcome first appearance for the Beds, taking 1 for 10 in a couple of hostile overs at the end of the Kinlet innings.

The Beds made a poor start to their innings – 14 for 3 after 3 overs.  But then Jono Hill got going, hitting two sixes on his way to 30 not out.  Austin Gregory also batted well to reach the retirement point, and Krishna Balthu hit hard and often in the later overs to make 21 not out and lead the Beds to a two-wicket victory.

Champagne moment was awarded to Josh Lemm, who was on the point of receiving his first ball, when he declared “I’ve forgotten something” and dashed back to the pavilion.  To his credit he took the banter well, when he emerged a little later having put all his “equipment” in place and was accorded an ovation on his return to the wicket.

Kinlet 102 for 6 (George 2 for 5; Balthu 1 for 10; Susman 1 for 7)

Bedouins 108 for 8 (Hill 30 not out; Gregory 28 not out; Balthu 21 not out)

Bedouins v Chancers at Enville – Wednesday, 21 May 2014

Beds lost by 18 runs

Bedouins came down to earth with a bump in their second game of the season, losing by 18 runs to the Chancers.

The visitors batted first and, with a solid batting performance, maintained a good scoring rate to finish on 117 for 3.  Pick of the Beds bowlers were Spratters (1 for 16), Paul Moran (1 for 10) and Josh Lemm (1 for 18).

In the Beds reply, Andy Hill and Neil Smith were both out early, followed by Adrian Susman.  So it was left to Lee Bywater and Paul Lippitt to get the innings going.  But both had to retire on 30, and the next few batsmen could not quite keep the run rate high enough to challenge the Chancers total.

Beds finished on 99 for 4.

Chancers 117 for 3 (Spratley 1 for 16; Moran 1 for 10′ Lemm 1 for 18)

Bedouins 99 for 4 (Bywater 30 not out; Lippitt 31 not out))

Bedouins v Pedmore Over 40s – Wednesday, 14 May 2014

Beds win by 2 Wickets

The Beds kicked off their 2014 season with a new fixture against Pedmore Over 40s and enjoyed a thrilling finish with a two-wicket win on the last ball of the match.

Pedmore batted first and found Spratters in accurate bowling mode, his three overs costing just 4 runs and including 2 wickets.  Josh Lemm marked his arrival on the Bedouins scene with three accurate overs for 15 runs, and there were good bowling performances, too, from Adrian Susman (2 for 14), Malcolm McConnell (1 for 16) and Lee Bywater (1 for 12).

Pedmore’s closing score was 96 for 6, which looked pretty challenging as the Beds lost their first two wickets with no runs on the board.  However, Adrian Susman and skipper Lee Bywater both reached the 30 retirement point to calm things down a bit.  Both returned later, but Bywater was soon dismissed without adding any runs to his total, leaving Susman to join Josh Lemm (8 not out) and hit the winning run off the last ball of the 20th over.

All together a good opening performance and a reminder of the joys of playing Bedouins cricket.

Pedmore: 96 for 6 (Spratley 2 for 4; Susman 2 for 14; MacConnell 1 for 16; Bywater 1 for 12)

Bedouins: 97 for 8 (Susman 35 not out; Bywater 30)

Bedouins v Enville at Enville – Tuesday, 20 August 2013

Beds lost by 4 wickets

The last game of the season left Bedouins scratching their heads as to how they had contrived to lose from what should have been a winning position. To make matters worse it was their landlords they lost to.

The Beds batted first against an Enville side that was best described as a mixture of youth and experience. The absence of skipper Branch saw Captain of Vice step up and he sent out Lippitt and Gregory to open. Not a bad decision, Lippitt retired on 31 and Gregory made a brief 18.

Even though all of the Enville side had a bowl, the Beds couldn’t capitalise to post a threatening score. Susman made 13, Bywater 17 but nobody really got going and a total of 97 didn’t really seem enough.

That started to look different when the Beds took to the field. Vice put Susman and loanee Oakes on to open the bowling and by the time they had both finished their 4 over spells Enville had the grand total of 17 runs for the loss of one wicket.

Despite the rapidly failing light, things started to swing Enville’s way again when Oakes (father of Beds loanee Oakes) and Parfitt were at the wicket. Parfitt particularly showed he is a proper cricketer with a display of hard hitting and shrewd running – retiring on 32.

The Bedouins had little response and although George took a couple of wickets, Enville managed to get themselves in reach of the target. By now the light was abysmal but that didn’t deter young Enville batsman Craven. He still seemed to see the ball like a football and managed to cart Gregory to the deep mid wicket boundary for two fours before playing the same shot for 6 to win the game with a ball to spare. A fantastic shot that had to be applauded.

So that was the end of another season albeit a shorter one than usual. The count looks a sorry one – played 7, lost 6, won 1. The weather took its toll again with 4 matches going by the wayside. Hey ho, there’s always next season, right?

Bedouins v SSP Halifax at Enville – Sunday, 11 August 2013

Beds lost by 5 wickets

Bedouins were well and truly outclassed by their chums from Halifax in the annual tour game. This time it was the turn of SSP Halifax to come down to visit us at Enville and they brought with them some proper cricketers with them.

The Beds had been hoping to give a debut to their new signing Paul Henrique Tonge but he unfortunately had to withdraw from the side owing to illness in the family. Even more unfortunate when you hear that he has played for Worcestershire youth and had a season with New South Wales A out in Australia. Nevermind, there was Rich Ferguson filled the vacant position. 🙂 Deadly David Pearson also returned to the fold.

On arrival at the ground the players were treated to Bacon and Sausage rolls before the game and maybe that contributed to the largely sluggish start to the Bedouins innings. It may have been that, or it may also have been the rather unpredictable wicket that not only kept low, but at times saw the ball never even get off the ground at all.

Skipper Branch opened the batting but only lasted a few balls before being caught behind for 0. Susman joined Lippitt and the two painstakingly tried to forge some sort of partnership but it was slow progress, the ball was hard to get away, the outfield was slow, very slow. SSP’s opening bowler Molyneux has been a thorn in the side of the Bedouins for many years and this year was no different. He finished his first spell of five overs with 2 for 6.

Really, that was the story of the Bedouins innings, all seemed to find it hard going with the bat. SSP had one or two other very able bowlers but there were a few highlights in the Beds innings – Woodhouse’s 25 included a couple of sixes but then he succumbed to the bowling of Robinson; Hill J smashed one of his trademark sixes and then got out next ball; Bywater managed to find the boundary three times in his 16; but the batting highlight for pure grit and determination was Hancock. Batting at number nine, his 26 runs gave the Beds hope that they had given themselves something to bowl at. Well, err, no…. 116 was never going to be enough.

At this point, between innings, players and supporters were treated to tea and a large variety of splendid cakes. Hearty thanks to all those Bedouettes who contributed.

Any hopes that the wicket would give SSP the same problems it had given the Bedouins soon evaporated. The Skipper decided to try a different approach and open the bowling with Susman and Pearson. Susman’s six overs would have looked quite respectable if his last over hadn’t gone for 17; Pearson was soon replaced by Spratters.

SSP however seemed to want to get on the road home as soon as possible. They opened the batting Dobson and yes, you guessed it…. Mr Molyneux. The latter swatted the ball away at will during his 43 runs and never looked in trouble although, to be fair, Spratters did get him out and start to eat through some more of the SSP batting line up.

There was a glimmer of hope when the fifth wicket went down at 102 but that is all it was, a glimmer. Spratters finished with 3 for 31 from 8 overs, very commendable. But the wicket never seemed to give SSP any trouble at all. For me, the highlight of the fielding session was the commitment of Ferguson, who numerous times flung himself in all directions to try and save as many runs as he could. Top stuff, never say die and all that but in the end it was fruitless. SSP reached the target with 18 overs remaining.

So it was back to the pavilion for more food. Another fine spread was put on again with thanks to the team of Bedouettes who did the honours. I was also good to see Mr Chairman back in circulation after his heart op. He certainly managed to get to the food and back.

So that’s that for another year. Beds will next year head ooop narth to try and win back some pride and no doubt they’ll have some fun in the process. As for this game – at least it didn’t rain.

Match photos available in the archive here.

Bedouins v Kinlet at Enville – Sunday, 14 July 2013

Bedouins lost by one wicket

Bedouins met Kinlet for their first Sunday fixture of the season on a steaming hot afternoon at Enville. The injuries continue to mount up and those that were fit struggled to catch the ball, all of which contributed to a one wicket defeat.

P.G. Woodhouse was absent for this game and Lippitt was still on hols and to be honest, the Bedouins missed their batting prowess. Gregory was still entertaining the Pope, Bate was unavailable and Lock was still in lock down. All this meant that McAvan (a distant member of the Hill dynasty) was brought in to bolster the side. Beds also welcomed the return of Deadly David Pearson who, half way through moving house, is squatting in some dark backwater somewhere.

Bedouins batted first with the game reduced to 36 overs a side because of the heat.

The usual pairing of Branch and Hill A. strode to the crease first and made a steady start. The former was unlucky to be dismissed for 11 when he middled the ball at great speed to mid-on where the fielder managed to cling onto the ball between his knees.

Bywater joined Hill A. and the two started to inject some pace into the innings. Hill A. after a nervous start found his timing and the boundary but was eventually bowled when on 21 by a ball that kept very low. Indeed that was the way the wicket was playing and it caught a few batsmen out. Bywater launched a huge six over deep mid wicket but was then caught behind next ball for 9.

This left Susman and Hill J at the crease. Young Hill played watchfully as the very useful young Kinlet spinner Salter was on. One loose ball from the bowler resulted in a full toss to Hill J. whose eyes lit up but the mis-timed shot went straight back to the bowler and Hill J. departed for 4.

The Beds were now on 45 for 4 and looked to be in danger of not posting a challenging total. McAvan came in at 6 and instantly showed he is a cricketer of some talent. He took the initiative and found the boundary at regular intervals until he was bowled by Englehart when going for the big hit. The score had become more respectable at 84 for 5 in the 20th over.

Susman had ridden his luck, especially against Englehart who beat the edge of the bat on several occasions, but the batsman ground his way to the retirement figure of 50 with batting partners fast disappearing. Ferguson in at number seven managed 2 before being caught and Hancock (9) stroked a couple of nice boundaries until he edged one to the ‘keeper and Spratley and George contributed  11 and 7 respectively.

Pearson played an excellent pull shot for his 4 runs and Susman was back in and was ultimately caught out on the long-on boundary going for a big shot in the penultimate over, finishing on 57. Bedouins ended up with a respectable 168 for 7.

Thanks to David Pearson for doing the book during the Beds innings.

After a break between innings with tea and cake excellently organised by the Bedouettes, the Bedouins took to the field and opened the bowling with George Michael and Spratters. The Vice Captain kept things tight but contrived to drop two almost identical catches off his own bowling. He wasn’t however, the only one. Certainly Branch at slip and Ferguson were guilty of similar misdemeanours and if memory serves Hill J. may have made a slip behind the stumps although he later redeemed himself with a blinding one-handed catch, showing remarkable reactions. He may have taken others but it is unclear in the book and also my poor memory, as to who took what catches in the end.

Kinlet got to 34 before the first wicket fell. Bowling changes saw Pearson and Susman come on to bowl. Pearson looked like he had never been away and immediately put the batsmen under pressure and it was he who took the first wicket, clean bowling Allsopp B for 31. A good wicket to take as the young man had looked comfortable up until that point.

Susman took a couple of wickets in successive overs with Bywater taking two catches at mid-off. At least he knows what his hands are for…..

Kinlet’s middle order then took control somewhat with Holmes the main thorn in the Beds side. The opposition looked like they would reach their target with ease but then Bywater came on to bowl and produced what was almost a match-winning performance. He was to finish with figures of 4-17 from his allotted 6 overs. If only he could have bowled a seventh.

Pearson came back on and produced another demon ball to have Kinlet 8 wickets down, meanwhile at the other end McAvan was attempting to bowl and was another victim of the Bedouins injury jinx, aggravating an old back injury. Branch also tried to bowl with his dodgy knee but he was restricted in his movement.

McAvan did take a wicket and the match was finely poised. From memory (as I said, poor) Kinlet only needed another 14 runs to win and Beds only needed that one last wicket. This with nearly three overs remaining.

But it wasn’t to be. Branch tried bowling everything in his repertoire, to no avail and in the end McAvan, by this time struggling to stand up let alone bowl, was hit for the winning runs.

It was though simply the most enjoyable way to spend a Sunday afternoon and although the Bedouins always play to win, to lose against such a fine and friendly bunch of good sports as Kinlet CC is no hardship.

The girls produced a top-notch tea and after that and a few pints, everyone headed for home, ever-so-slightly sun burnt and knackered. Will the Beds have 11 fit players to choose from for the next game? Well they did manage to sign Paul Henrique-Tonge during the day, on a free transfer from who knows where. With such a grand surname and the fact that he has played cricket out in Australia (you did say that didn’t you Paul), we can probably claim him as our overseas player. The rest of the squad are dropping like flies though so there may be several late fitness tests before the next game v Pedmore House (bet you’ll be back for that one Austin).

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…..

Bedouins v RWE – Wednesday, 19 June 2013

Bedouins win by 5 wickets

After three false starts the Bedouins finally got their season underway at Enville with the fixture against RWE, also known as the Karl Aston XI. Karl has now left the company after a mere 31 years in the job so I guess it is now officially RWE we will play from now on.

The first three fixtures of the season versus Chancers, OpenGI and Kinlet all succumbed to the poor weather during May, although the OpenGI and Kinlet games have been rearranged. However, on this night the sun shone fit to bust and the game was well and truly on.

What of the team news? Well for a start, the Bedouins had 11 fit(ish) players. Things have looked a little more promising this season team-wise with 13 players having declared themselves available for both of the first two fixtures; the last few seasons have seen the side scratching around for players. Tom Bate made his Bedouins debut and instantly fitted in well however the Beds still took to the field with only ten players as Officer Bywater was unavoidably detained at the Prison. George was abroad somewhere – again, and Gregory, Ferguson and Johnston were otherwise engaged.

Still, fielding first, the Bedouins got off to a good start with an opening pair of Spratley and Lippitt. Spratters as usual gave little away but it was Lippitt who announced himself with two wickets in his first over, the first bowled and the second, low and behold, Susman ran round to take a catch at mid wicket.

Spratters bagged the third wicket before being taken off and replaced by Lock. At the other end, Lippitt had been replaced by Bate. Lock did well to bowl having already dived around in the field, pretending he was a lot younger than he actually is. RWE managed to knock the ball around and pick up some runs until Bate removed Mohammed bringing Kureshi to the wicket. Kureshi is one of the batsmen the Beds have rarely (if ever) managed to get out and again he retired 30 not out.

RWE had been starting to hit the ball to the boundary. Susman was a bit expensive during his three overs but Bywater had turned up and was instantly put on to bowl and so RWE were kept down to a score of 104 for 4. They would probably have been happier with another 20 or so runs.

It was good to see the old married couple, Hill and Branch opening the batting for the Bedouins. These two know each other intimately – at least, at the wicket – and they got the batting side off to a decent start. Hill hitting the ball hard, Branch trying to, so as to avoid running between the wickets on his dodgy knee. In the end Branch went for 9 to a straight one that kept low.

This left Hill partnered with Woodhouse and the latter wasn’t going to hang around. He made a quickfire 32, including one huge 6 over square leg, before retiring. Hill was caught when on 20.

Things then started to look a little dodgy with Hancock dismissed for 0 and Lippitt for 0, both clean bowled. Hill J hung around and gave support to Bywater until the former was also bowled when on 4. Bywater and Bate saw the Bedouins home in the 17th over with Bywater looking confident during his 27 which included five 4s.

The Bedouins also got their first look and use of Enville’s new changing rooms since the renovation of the clubhouse and very salubrious they were too. If Branchy remembers to turn the boiler on next time, the showers will be excellent!

Mrs S was declared unfit for tea duty following minor surgery the day before, so it was fish and chips on the menu – very large portions of fish and chips.

Next game, the rearranged fixture with Kinlet on 26th June.

Bedouins v Enville at Enville– Wednesday, 22 August 2012

Beds win by 4 runs

Liverpool v Everton, City v United, Barca v Real Madrid, Brentford v QPR – none have the same intense rivalry to match this game. Bedouins turned out to play their landlords on Wednesday in a keenly fought local derby, with both sides desperate to hold on to the bragging rights for another season. Unfortunately for Enville, it was the Bedouins who came out on top.

Bedouins chief whip had showed an incredible ineptitude in being unable to count from one to eleven and so it was that a team of twelve turned up to play. Luckily Enville were in the same boat and so it was agreed to play 12 a side.

The Beds were again ravaged with injury with skipper Branch still lame from the Halifax Tour. Hill A. , Woodhouse and Lock were still plagued with back problems. A recurring theme in this side. Hill J. was kept away with work commitments. Hence McConnell, Faulkner and Moran were all late (but quality) additions to the side.

Who won the toss is still a mystery but Bedouins batted first, opening with Susman and Bywater. These two had a steady opening partnership of 69 in 13 overs, so steady there was unwarranted barracking from the rest of the team. The slow and low wicket made it hard to get the ball away though and this was shown in the batting collapse that followed later.

Susman had been the first to go, cleaned bowled by Burn when on 28. Bywater retired shortly after on 32. The rest of the batting side contributed little – Gregory was caught at mid-on for 3, Faulkner was caught for 7, and Lippitt went for a duck followed by Ferguson for a golden duck. Spratley and McConnell both finished not out with 7 and 5 respectively and the Bedouins had clawed their way to 99 for 5.

Bedouins made early inroads into the Enville batting line-up. Moran, who looked dangerous from the start had J. Smith cleaned bowled with the score on two and finished with 1 for 5 from his 4 overs. Pearson, opening from the other end, was carted for a 6 in his first over and was taken off by stand in skipper George after two overs to be replaced by McConnell (4 overs 1 for 16).

Enville looked to be going well. B. Oakes retired on 31, opener N. Smith had made 20 until falling to a good catch by Lippitt (any catch by a Bedouin is a good one) off the bowling of Bywater. There were however several catches put down as usual, the most memorable being Ferguson at deep square leg, racing in to grab the ball, only for it to fly through his hands during a swallow dive to the turf. Very dramatic, very funny.

The key moment was Enville’s Parfitt being run out when on 22 and looking as though while he was at the crease, Enville would storm home. It was a great shy at the stumps from Lippitt who also later took a good low catch off his own bowling. Thankfully a better performance in the field than with the bat. He also finished with bowling figures of 2 for 1 from his one over. Bywater put in a good stint to finish with 2 for 23 from his 4 overs. Spratley was a tad expensive for him with 1 for 31 from 4.

One highlight was seeing Enville legend Fred Hodges at the crease at the age of 104. Quite remarkable to see him running quick(ish) singles. He couldn’t rescue Enville though.

The light for the final five or six overs could only be described as poor and Enville may cite that as the reason the failed to reach their target of 100. It doesn’t matter, Bedouins won.

So that wraps up another season for the Beds; one that looked like it may never get going. It was probably the worst season ever, weather wise, and in the end only 7 fixtures were fulfilled. However the final tally of won 4, lost 2, tied 1 would indicate that all said and done, it was a pretty good season for the Beds. Let’s hope for some sunshine next year.

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.