Barker stars in 5 wicket win

The 2s welcomed back Tim Lush and John Haggart for this away trip to Shoreham. The sun was shining after overnight rain. Shoreham won the toss and elected to bat. The track was a little inconsistent until it dried out.

Shoreham batted aggressively from the very first ball but some good bowling from Jack Feehan (2-42), Ben Lush (1-41), Simon Barker (2-41), John Haggart (1-44) and Tim Lush seemed to be keeping the opposition score in check. Unfortunately the home team got their eye in, had other ideas and took over 90 from our last 10 overs meaning we needed 211 to win.

Tim Croom (50) and Tim Lush (15) opened the batting and put on 73 before Lush was first to fall. Simon Barker (81)joined the fray, and his innings almost saw Bearsted home, as he produced an excellent display, combining power with classical strokes.

Barker was well supported by Haggart (17) and then Dan Skinner (24*). Skinner’s slightly unorthodox "if it moves, sweep it" approach did eventually result in a 6 over square leg, a "maximum" rarer than hens' teeth.

A slight wobble when Simon Barker was the fourth wicket to fall, quickly followed by James Midgley (1) before Steve Spain came in, and annoyed his elderly batting partner by running a couple of 3s, to ease the side home by 5 wickets with 11 balls left.

The win leaves Bearsted firmly mid table, but only 4 points behind 4th place where we finished last season.

Next week sees the visit of second placed Bidborough to the Green, where Bearsted will be looking to make up for the 62 run defeat against the same opposition, that they suffered in the season opener.