2s beat Speldhurst

The only game in the division to survive the weather saw the 2s win by 18 runs against Speldhurst, to sit at the top of the league table.

It was a very smug captain who contacted the opposition on Friday afternoon, able to offer to switch the match to our second ground to make use of the covers there. All credit must go to Simon Barker for preparing two grounds for such an eventuality, and for getting the covers on and working.

We were able to get a 35 over a side match starting at 2pm, and in customary fashion we lost the toss and were asked to bat.

Tim Croom and Dave Latter opened up, with Croom taking a shine to the one opening bowling taking him for 16 in the second over of the innings. After Latter (8) left a straight one, Steve Horrocks came to the wicket and scored a quick fire 23, including an unusual 6. Unusual in that it appeared to bounce well inside the rope.

Croom (56) soon reached his half century before being caught on the boundary, perfectly picking out the fielder who didn’t have to move.

Filmer (26) and Haggart (21) kept the score moving, before Lew O’Brien got a quick (38) and Louis French a useful 10 not out to close the innings on 206/7.

Ben Lush and Jack Feehan opened the bowling for Bearsted with Lush (1/31) picking up an early wicket and Feehan missing going wicketless, putting down a sharp return catch. It wasn’t a drop, as Jack doesn’t drop catches.

Lew O’Brien (0/36) worked hard bowling his leg spin into the gale force winds, whilst Steve Horrocks showed his experience picking up 3 key wickets for 18 in his 8 overs. Dave Latter (2/41) picked up a couple of quick wickets.

Highlights of the innings were probably the two run outs. One a direct hit from O’Brien at point, the other seeing Horrocks charging in from long-on and returning the throw over the stumps to take the final wicket to fall. The innings closing on 188/8.

Despite the margin of victory being only 18 runs, Speldhurst were never really up with the run rate and Bearsted were comfortable victors.

Next week sees the 2s travel to Pembury.