Bedouins v Kinlet – Wednesday June 3rd

Bedouins lost by 33 runs

Turning up at the Enville ground to be greeted with fairly heavy rain and dark skies, it looked for a while as if the game with Kinlet might be another to fall victim to the weather. Thankfully, just as Jon Stanier predicted with his trusty weather app, the rain abated and play finally got underway around 6.30pm. Boy was it dark though!

It was good to get reacquainted with our good friends from Kinlet. Always fun to play against but competitive too, and this game was no different.

On paper Bedouins were fielding a strong side, however this season so far the team has generally flattered to deceive. Their school report would say ‘could do better’. Kinlet batted first with Bedouins traditional pair of opening bowlers, Bywater and George, trying to get to grips with a wet ball. George’s first ball after many months of inactivity pitched a yard in front of his toes, but he soon got back in the swing. Skipper Bywater was economical finishing with 1 for 4 from his four overs.

Susman dropped what should have been a straightforward catch off the skipper’s bowling and was condemned to some fierce ribbing for the rest of the Kinlet innings. Meanwhile Branch standing close in at first slip took a catch that required the reactions of a cat. No mean feat in the gloomy conditions and with a wet ball.

Gregory bowled superbly from the pavilion end to halt any momentum Kinlet were building with their innings, taking three quick wickets in his spell of 3 for 10 from four overs, which included a double wicket maiden in his last over. Smith M also weighed in with a couple of wickets in his two overs. Kinlet reached what looked like a gettable total of 93.

Never underestimate Kinlet though. Their bowling was tight from the start and Bedouins, opening with Branch and Lippitt, struggled to get the ball away. And that theme continued right through the Bedouins innings.

Lippett looked the most dangerous of the Beds batsmen as he made his way to 20 before being caught behind and a partnership between Susman and Stanier promised much but delivered little. With the required run rate climbing steeply Susman took a wild heave ho at a straight ball and was bowled and although Stanier stayed at the crease Bedouins never looked like getting anywhere near the target of 94. In the end they finished well short on 60 for 5.

Let’s hope Bedouins can up their game for the Sunday fixture with The Celebs.