2s beat Lenham

Competitive league fixtures resumed for the 2s, at home to Lenham. Holiday season meant a slightly changed team, including the welcome returns of Horrocks and Slevin.

The skipper reverted to type and lost the toss but was pleased to be asked to bat on a hot day.
The square looked magnificent, despite the rest of the village green looking parched. That is courtesy of the hard work put in by our faithful Groundsman “Ronnie” and some bloke called Simon who he brings along.

The two Tim’s, Croom and Lush, opened up. Lenham’s attack was decent with Humphrey getting some good away movement.

Croom looked in good form, hitting the ball hard and choosing wisely when to use his lofted drive.
Lush, seemingly stung by some comments in a previous match report, was looking to score more quickly and take some sharp singles. One poor call and change of mind did though leave both batters at the same end. Croom looked confused to see Lush sprawled on the ground next to him. He took a while to decide what to do but courtesy of some poor fielding made it back safely to the other end.

With the score on 62, Croom pulled one straight to backward square leg and departed for 45.
Barker was next in, fresh off a big ton last week. He looked in good form and, as ever, hit the ball powerfully. With the outfield lightning fast, we knew we needed a big score to set a decent defendable target.

The pair put on 140 before Barker holed out in front of the pavilion to a fine catch from the Lenham skipper. He seemed reluctant to leave, convinced the fielder had stepped over the line. However it was right in front of his teammates and he had to go. He has scored an excellent 87.

The reassuring figure of Filmer was next in, with 7 overs to go. Lush reached his 50, and with lots of batting to come, unselfishly decided to try and play some big shots but was bowled.
Adamson came and went for 5 before West came in for the last few overs. He finished on a fine 21 not out and Filmer was unbeaten on 24.
Our total of 253 looked about par.

After the interval West and Mullins opened up. We started with two maidens and they both looked in fine form.
Mullins took the first wicket helped by a low catch from Ben Lush. West soon joined the fray with an excellent diving catch from Barker low to his right. Sadly he soon after tried to repeat the effort and dropped one that had been sailing into Horrocks’ mitts at first slip.

Mullins got his second with an l.b.w and after 13 overs Lenham were 28 for 3. It looked all over but their next batman promptly launched his first ball for a straight 6. Several similar hefty blows made us a little nervous.

Ben Lush replaced West. He started with a no ball, three sixes and a wide. He did though take a wicket that over after the batsman carefully guided a wide straight into the hands of Mullins at gully. Mullins was so surprised by the batsman’s generosity that he dropped it but falling backwards somehow managed to regather it in his midriff.

Horrocks was on for Mullins from the White Horse end. His figures of 6-0-18-1 would have been even better had their umpire given some of the very good shouts for l.b.w.
He also wasn’t helped by some comical fielding. Filmer in the covers decided not to use his hands, or dive on the hard ground, and raised both his legs over the ball. Croom, who was covering, did likewise and the ball sailed on serenely to the boundary. The pair looked like they were auditioning for the Can-Can line at the Folies Bergere

Lush continued to improve and ended with figures of 9-1-52-4 one of which was a good catch by West.
Slevin bowled a couple of decent overs but student life seems to have ruined his fitness and his ability to shave. Mind you, with his Mum sending him along with some gorgeous cakes, and his very attractive girlfriend telling him to buy the match reporter a drink, he has surely secured his place in the side.

Matt Adamson bowled 4 overs, generating some decent pace, and conceded only 9 runs.
Mullins and West returned to conclude their spells, finishing with figures of 9-1-24-2 and 9-2-21-2 respectively.

However the game was not over yet. Skipper Croom, a widely known tactical genius, had held back his best bowler. In a scene reminiscent of the Wedding Feast at Cana the crowd were amazed by the quality of the wine served up late in the day. A young talent was brought on to display his variety of swing, seam, pace and spin. He was robbed of a deserved wicket when Filmer abjectly refused to move to take an easy catch. Surely more must be seen off this cricketing god’s bowling in the future.

(Editor’s Note. This was the elderly match reporter Skinner bowling. Whilst it was not nearly as bad as we expected, he did nothing with the ball, at a very gentle pace and Filmer could never had caught that).

Thanks to Savage and Feehan for umpiring and scoring on a hot day.

Lenham finished on 140 for 9. An important win for Bearsted. More are needed if they are to have any chance of gaining promotion