After the mess of Locksbottom, the skipper was tasked with getting only himself to Southborough. He arrived approximately 30 mins early as did the bulk of the team. All good in that respect.

The toss again lost, BCC were asked to bat first. A wicket that looked very hard and good, Southborough must know something... Croom and Pearce opened the batting against a young quick bowler who seemed to like pitching it short. He kept the scoring down but no success. The other opening bowler was slower but more controlled and he took the wicket off Croom for 3. This brought Paul Manktelow to the crease. With both batsmen struggling to time the ball, they set about a controlled partnership of 161. Towards the end when the run rate was needed to be increased they did but both fell, Pearce for 103 and Manktelow for 51. The skipper decided that Haggart should be promoted and Adamson too to increase the run rate. Haggart did this very well with 29* and Matt gave John the strike. BCC ended on 212-3 a good score but with a little more aggression (and timing) this could have been much more. This is not to take anything away from the two big scorers but something for a little learning perhaps. The hundred was Pearces 52 recorded hundred for the club and included 16 fours and 2 sixes. Manktelow hit 5 fours.

BCC started well in the field, Adamson and Marriner again opening the bowling, and these two reduced Southborough to 43-4, both taking two wickets. Surely this was going to set Bearsted off to a win? Well the remaining opener and number 6 had other ideas, putting on 122 for the 5th wicket. Haggart, Slevin, Manktelow and Horrocks all had a bowl, Horrocks finally dismissing the opener for a solid 66 and bowling well to end with 1-36 from 7.1. Pace off was thought to be the way forward but without a second slow bowler in the side, Haggart volunteered his services. Unfortunately, after taking a wicket with the first ball of his last over, the rest of the over was not so successful and he was dispatched. Having taking 2 wickets with the score at 197, still needing 16 to win with only 11 balls left, the game was up and, with the first ball of the last over, Southborough struck the winning runs for a 3 wicket win.

This result leaves us in a bit of a relegation fight with 3 of the top 4 to play. We need at least one more big performance.
Another game passes by with a close defeat. With a couple of wins in these tight matches we'd be looking up rather than down. Second placed Betsham next week.