2s go close at Withyham

The 2s travelled to East Sussex to play Withyham in the latest match of their Kent County Village League season.

After winning the toss and electing to field, Bearsted made a good start on an afternoon where the fielders backed up the bowlers with some good catches. Jack Feehan (3-32) bowled an excellent opening spell including wickets from a smart slip catch by Tim Lush, and a Stephen Spain special at backward point - diving full length to get both hands to the wet ball and make a half chance look routine.

The Bearsted bowlers kept things tight throughout and picked up wickets at regular intervals with Chris Filmer (2-23), Simon Barker (2-43) and Ben Lush (2-37), ably supported by the wicketless Harry Slevin and Dave Vant, restricting the home team to 171-9 in the 40 overs.

A dodgy back saw skipper Tim Croom pushed down the order and allowed Tim Lush (24) and Chris Filmer (7) to open the innings. Unfortunately it wasn't too long before the usual opening partnership was reunited as Croom joined Lush at the wicket as Bearsted slipped to 54-4 in the 16th over. Jack Feehan (13) and Ben Lush (6) helped Croom move the score to 113, before 14 year old Harry Slevin came to the crease with Bearsted still 59 runs short of victory.

Harry Slevin (15) batted with plenty of determination and showed an excellent technique as he accumulated runs whilst supporting the skipper and frustrating the opposition fielders. As Tim Croom (62) started to forget about a bad back, and started to find the boundary, the partnership kept building and had reached 52 - just 7 short of victory, when Harry Slevin was dismissed.

Croom followed in the same over and the 10th wicket pair of Dave Vant and John Savage were unable to reach the target, as the last wicket fell with Bearsted just 3 runs short of the Withyham total.

A great game to be involved in although an ultimately disappointing result. The 2s entertain Hadlow at home next weekend.