3s beat Linton Park

Bearsted welcomed Linton Park 3s back to Hollingbourne, after our previous home match against them was rained off. Summer holidays meant we were only able to turn out 10 players but it was an experienced side.
We batted first, with Tim Lush and Matt Klimcke opening up. Linton had a generally youthful side and the bowling attack looked decent. The pitch was also looking fine as usual.
We looked unruffled and scored steadily. Klimcke in particular was more careful than in previous innings, taking his time and playing proper cricket shots.
We started scoring at 4 an over and gradually accelerated.
Klimcke reached his 50 and then started punishing anything loose. He was rightly described by his partner as being “brutal” after two fierce shots to the boundary.
The pair had put on a magnificent 161 before a visibly tiring Klimcke chipped one up to point. Tragically he was on 96 at the time.
Nigel Baker was in at 3. He showed his fine technique and determination. Well, determination to bat for his average anyway. He was unbeaten at the finish on 56.
Lush had moved to 40 before stepping across his wicket and missing the ball. Out l.b.w
Keith Robertson came in at 4 and looked to play his shots from the off, moving the ball around the field well.
The pair were relatively untroubled and we finished our 40 overs on 258 for 2. Extras had been generous and remarkably, Robertson with 34 not out, was the lowest scorer.
After tea, Jamie Baker opened the bowling from the top end. He was getting good movement but as is often the case, it seemed to be the bad balls that got results.
With Leo Petty insisting he would much rather attend a family barbecue than play cricket (!) he was replaced behind the stumps by another lithe, athletic and youthful keeper. Who would like to point out there were no byes conceded all innings. (Actually he can recall one bye but it’s not in the scorebook so Yah Boo Sucks to all you mean and nasty cynics and critics)
Kian Young opened from the bottom end and generated a lot of pace and in swing with his left arm over. He was unlucky not to get a wicket in his 7 overs but only went for 24 runs.
Raja took a good catch off Jamie Baker to dismiss their skipper. He looks remarkably relaxed and happy in the field and it is possible that he would do well to avoid a visit from the County’s drugs testing officials. The wicket was justice for Baker straight after the batter had gloved one down the leg side to Skinner who took a fine “catch” behind the stumps. The umpire was however unmoved.
Young Ciaran Edwards replaced Baker and bowled beautifully. Occasionally he loses his length but at his age that is not surprising. He was swinging it majestically. One beauty started wide, swung in and then came back in more off the seam. Wasted on most batsmen.
Marcel Boonaert came up the slope next. He is a very good bowler. Well, once he had worked whether it was a left hander or a right hander at the other end. His figures were a remarkable 8-2-3-13.
Raja came on to bowl his off spin. He gives it an almighty rip, turning the ball sharply. Unfortunately he ricked his back and had to leave the field after one over. It meant we only had 9 in the field.
Tim Lush suddenly announced that Ciaran could only bowl 4 overs on the trot because of age restrictions but that he himself would gladly help out and step in to the fold. Lush’s three overs went for only one run.
Keith Robertson bowled three overs, slightly reluctantly but they were by no means a disgrace.
Nigel Baker bowled one over and got a wicket whilst conceding 10 runs.
Ciaran Edwards came back on, got a good second wicket and finished with fine figures of 7-1-2-10.
Baker came back and finished the innings off with Klimcke’s second catch. His figures were 7.3-1-4-21. And only one of the four wickets was a rank full toss.
Linton Park were all out for 103.
A good win, everyone got a game and the match was played in a fine spirit.