Losing start to league campaign

Bearsted 2nd XI fell to a 62 run defeat away against Bidborough 3rd XI in the first league fixture of the 2017 season, which was played at the picturesque Stonewall Park CC.

Getting an 11 together was a success in itself as Bearsted became the first borrower under the KVCL's player loan system. A big thank-you to Neil Breen of Stonewall Park CC for turning out for Bearsted.

After Bearsted won the toss and elected to field, some good early bowling saw Ben Lush (2-40) pick up two wickets, while Jack Feehan (0-17) kept it tight from the other end. The second wicket for Ben Lush benefitted from an excellent running backwards, one-handed catch over his head by Stephen Spain. Bearsted continued to pick up wickets as the experience in the attack was used to good effect as Mike Redman (3-32), Steve Horrocks (2-27) and Dave Vant (1-27) closed down the Bidborough innings, as they finished on 181-8 from 40 overs.

With an inexperienced batting line-up, the Bearsted chase never really got going. Tim Croom (61 not out) batted throughout the innings, with some support from Mike Redman (19) and Jack Feehan (7), but with runs difficult to come by on a slow pitch and wickets falling at regular intervals, the visitors never looked like chasing down the target. Bearsted were eventually all out in the 40th over for 121.

Withyham CC are the visitors to The Green next weekend, where Bearsted will be looking to improve on the 5 losing bonus points they picked up in this match.