Another defeat for 2s

Bearsted welcomed Bidborough 3rd XI to The Green on a hot Saturday afternoon. For the first time this season Bearsted actually had selection dilemmas and put out possibly our strongest team of the year, against a team who were second in the league and had won the seasons previous meeting quite comfortably.

The opposition won the toss and chose to bat on an impeccable track.

The Bidborough openers started confidently with several big hits. Unfortunately Bearsted’s fielding was not up to par with six catches being put down, including a couple of sitters. The bowlers performed well but we never got enough wickets.

Controversy ensued when the Bidborough opener, (who Bearsted had already gifted 3 lives to) clearly edged Steve Horrocks behind. Only the umpire, who gave what can best be described as an interesting performance all afternoon, did not think it was out and the bat stood his ground, whilst claiming the ball his arm. At the end of the over, the batsman had a moment of enlightenment and confirmed to the fielders that he had in fact hit the ball. He was given out LBW a few overs later, finishing on 95-5. To his credit the batsman apologised at the tea interval which helped defuse the situation.

Bidborough finished on 276, which is probably 100 more than they should have got to, if catches had been held.

Bearsted had a strong batting line up but openers Tim Croom and Tim Lush both fell before any runs were on the board. Skipper Croom showed how cricket should be played by walking when he got a faint glove on the third ball of the innings.

Chris Filmer (37) and John Haggart (27) got us moving but we never really looked like reaching the target. Steve Horrocks (8) looked in fine form until he pulled a short delivery off the middle of the bat only to see their mid-wicket take an outstanding catch inches off the ground. Dan Skinner (16) hung around, while Jack Feehan (51) batting at 9 made it look easy with a late cameo including 8x4s and 2x6s.