Bedouins v Open GI at Enville – Wednesday, 8 June 2011

Bedouins won by 14 runs

The Bedouins were made to dig deep last night to secure a victory against a highly determined but extremely sporting OpenGI team at Enville. For the Beds, Currie was still side-lined and Hill A. was struggling with injury although he played. Pearson had gone off-shore somewhere and so Richard Ferguson was drafted in to make his debut. Gregory and Goodman returned to the fold.

Unusually, the skipper won the toss and elected to bat but seven overs into the innings was beginning to doubt whether he had made the right decision with the Bedouins on the ropes at 26 for 4. The usually reliable opening pair of Branch and Hill A. both found the wicket to be unpredictable and added to that there was the pace of the two OpenGI bowlers to contend with. Mostly the ball kept low but occasionally it spat up off a length and both had to take evasive action. Branch played a couple of nice square cuts for 4 but was eventually caught at mid on. Hancock entered the fray sporting new pads but didn’t really have long to test them out as he was bowled for one. Beds new found batting sensation, Boom Boom Bywater, didn’t quite live up to his title as he was bowled for 0 – average ruined.

At this point Hill J and the skipper came together with the later facing the prospect of ‘a pair’ having managed a golden duck in a game last week. But these two forged some sort of a partnership and slowly managed get the scoreboard moving with a partnership of 34. Hill J. with his ‘no frills’ batting style proved to be what was needed and he hit the only six of the night in his knock of 18. It won’t be long before we see a big score from him.

The skipper retired on 30 having tormented the bowlers with some streaky edges and Gregory, Goodman, Ferguson, Spratley and George all chipped in towards a Beds total of 110 that looked unlikely at one stage and also looked as though it wouldn’t be enough.

It was the Bedouins bowling performance that won the game though. Open GI were certainly carrying enough firepower to out-do the Beds total. Spratley and Gregory opened the bowling and bowled their allotted 4 overs straight through. They immediately built pressure on the batsmen with the first 6 overs seeing only 19 runs conceeded with two wickets falling in that time. Each bowler claiming a wicket with Hill J taking a good catch behind the stumps and debutant Ferguson with a difficult catch made to look easy in the deep. Spratley finished with 1 for 19 and Gregory 1 for 15.

The skipper then brought himself on and had an immediate impact on the game taking two wickets with his first two balls; a sharp stumping from Hill J. who gave another excellent performance with the keepers gloves and then a caught and bowled. He finished with 2 for 9 from two overs. At the other end Goodman was tidy and eventually finished with 1 for 16 from four overs.

The game started to swing Open GI’s way when Bywater and George came on to bowl. Both struggled to find their usual tight line and length. George eventually had to be withdrawn through injury and was replaced by Goodman. Bywater (3 for 17) eventually found his rhythm and although Open GI had had a couple of good overs, he and Goodman managed to put a strangehold on things and eventually Open GI fell 14 runs short.

It was a classic example of why we all play this brand of cricket. Both teams played to win, but both did it with a smile on their faces and the result was, everyone had a very enjoyable evening rounded off with another first-class buffet.

The Beds now face a difficult trip away to Kinlet where they were well and truly trounced last year. They will need to be on top form for that one.

Bedouins v Karl Aston XI at Enville – Wednesday, 25 May 2011

Bedouins win by 14 run

The Bedouins finally got their 2011 season kick-started after two false starts. Higgs were supposed to be the opening fixture but pulled out too late in the day for us to find a replacement fixture. The second fixture was to have been against Enville at Enville but they had double-booked the ground and again a replacement fixture has yet to materialise.

So at the third attempt the Bedouins gathered to face ex-Bedouin Karl Aston’s RWE side. The squad had a few injury problems. Vernon Currie was sidelined with a dodgy back and Sciatica; Andy Hill was struggling with a stress fracture of the foot (could be gout, who knows) but played through the pain barrier, and Des Johnston was making a comeback after knee surgery and was keen to show us the photos. Uuurgh.

Bedouins batted first with stalwart opener Branch (now known as Frisky Hazlewood) being partnered by last seasons new batting phenomenon, Boom Boom Bywater. Neither player disappointed although Bywater was somewhat tied down by the unpredictable bowling. Both batsmen retired on 31.

Thomas was returning to the fold after a long absence from the side but showed he hasn’t lost any prowess with the bat and was well supported by Hill J. who demonstrated an aggressive style of batting (including one sublime pull shot for 4)  that shows much promise for the rest of the season. He was eventually bowled for 12 and Thomas was undefeated on 21.

Pearson and Hill A were unlucky to be in at the death, with little chance of adding to the total. The Beds finished on 108 for 2.

In return, RWE got off to a bad start with Beds strike bowler Spratley taking two wickets in his first two overs, both clean bowled. Meanwhile captain of vice (Fluffy Higginson) controlled things from the other end.

Johnston ( 0 for 10 from 2) gave a good demonstration of how to subdue a batsman with crafty flight for a couple of overs with Pearson at the other end, on form with 1 for 25 from 4. Ashraf and Kureshi, started to look dangerous for RWE with a great partnership that had the Bedouins skipper worried for a while. They both retired on 30 and with that RWE lost their momentum somewhat. Bedouins experience told with Bywater and Thomas slowing the run rate  and despite a late flurry of runs, RWE finished on 94 for 3.

The game may have been over a lot quicker had the Bedouins held onto the five catches they dropped (no names, but the skipper was one of them). The Bedouins looked to have improved this area of the game last season but it looks like we’re back to square one for the moment. Let’s just blame cold hands for now.

A good start to the season anyway and whatever the result had turned out to be, it was just great to be back on the pitch, despite the cold wind. We shall look forward to playing RWE again; a team with a similar philosophy on cricket as the Beds – play for fun.

North Park v Bedouins at Brighouse – Sunday, 15 August 2010

Bedouins lost by 16 runs

Bedouins packed their bags with the usual tour essentials (lagging, deep heat, fake sick – hang on, who forgot the fake sick?) and headed for Yorkshire to play North Park for the coveted Rasche Shield. It’s been a good while since the Bedouins managed to get their names scratched onto the shield and it’s going to be at least another year before they can manage it again. After getting themselves into a strong position at the halfway point in the game by restricting North Park to a 160-run total, the Bedouins, as they are sometimes prone to do, self-destructed.

But let’s start at the start. This year, many of those travelling up the country decided to stay over on Saturday night so as to be refreshed and in tip-top condition when arriving at the ground Sunday lunchtime. The result was a party of 15 Bedouins, Bedouwags and the odd Bedouweeny settling into the Premier Inn (Huddersfield North).  Having stayed in several ‘Prems” over the past few years, the skipper can recommend this as one of the best. A thought echoed by the rest of the party. Premier Inn have had the foresight to position the majority of their hotels next to a decent public house and this one was no different. The Old Mill served some excellent food on Saturday night and was a convenient staggering distance from our beds. Just as well…..

Some people stayed up longer than others and the skipper thought it his duty to stay and keep on eye on the two remaining members, Hill and Bywater to make sure they didn’t over indulge. The photo (left) is all the evidence you need that we were all sober as a judge. Eventually the bar staff refused to serve anymore, so it was time for bed.

Beds had been a player short up until about 10.15 p.m. on Saturday night until, back in the Midlands, Branch secured the services of Paul Moran who it just so happened was Enville second XI skipper; so a great addition to the team. No other injury niggles were reported and Captain of Vice, George, had recovered from his back problem although many were worried there may be a recurrence during Saturday night. There had also been an impromptu game of cricket in Shibden Hall park on Saturday afternoon with Mr Chairman playing a long, gruelling innings. Thankfully there were no injuries as a result of this game and we all enjoyed a spot of tea in some beautiful surroundings afterwards.

Sunday, after a hearty breakfast the squad met up at midday in the New Inn in Brighouse for lunch, generously laid on by North Park who joined us there. Branch, Lockley, Mason and Moxon travelled up on Sunday morning and met in the pub.  The team was now complete.

And so to what turned out to be one of the most memorable Bedouins games the skipper can remember (mind, cant remember a lot these days). The toss was lost and North Park decided to bat. The sun was out.

North Park are always a strong side and the skipper thought that the team would do well to keep them to under 200. The Beds managed that in some style however. Bywater as usual took the new ball and used it to good effect as did George who took the first wicket in his second over with Moran taking a smart catch (and taking two more later – told you he was a good addition to the team). North Park had made 46 from their first ten overs.

Moran and Lockley took over at the change. Opener Dobson T. for North Park was crafting an innings and he eventually retired on 50. Moran (0 for 13 from 5 overs), after a stiff start having played the day before started to pin the batsmen down as did Lockley, who also took a wicket (1 for 21 from 6 overs). With 20 overs gone North Park had made 76.

At this point we witnessed the most exciting and enjoyable passage of play ever seen in a Bedouins game (in my opinion). Pearson (1 for 36 from 8 overs) was bowling well and took the wicket of Baker who had started to try and play some big shots and was well caught by Moxon at mid wicket. Meanwhile at the other the skipper turned to Hill A. with devastating effect.

In his second over Hill A. took two wickets in two balls, the first of which was the much-prized scalp of Dobson J. Clean bowled. The second was a catch behind the stumps by Hill J. The field closed in for the hat-trick ball but it wasn’t to be. In his very next over however, Hill A. sparked scenes akin to England winning the ashes. First he had Walker caught on the boundary by Moran; the next ball saw Parkinson stumped by Hill J. and again the field closed in. There was uproar when the next ball again saw Hill J. whip the bails off for another stumping and Hill A. was submerged under a sea of Bedouin bodies, all ecstatic. Hill A. finished with 5 for 20 from 4 overs.

Dobson T. returned to the crease but it was too late for him to do much damage and the skipper mopped-up to finish with 2 for 4 from 2.2 overs. North Park ended on 160 all out.

Tea and cake were taken between innings and that may account for the slow start the Bedouins had. Branch and Hill A. (pictured above, Hill A. in action, Branch far end) continued their long-standing opening partnership. They know each other so well they’re thinking of getting married next year. Chasing a low total they had no need to try and force the issue early on and the bowling gave them little option anyway. At the 10 over mark Beds were 29 for 1 with Branch succumbing in the tenth over for 7.

Third man in Moxon, who has been a reliable source of runs in the past had an off day and when on three played a lofty off drive and was well caught by Dobson J. with the ball travelling at speed.

Enter Bywater at number four. Here was a man coming into bat with an average of 105 (yep, 105). The skipper decided he had to try and ruin that somehow but Bywater was again on form. Even though Bedouins only had 38 from the first sixteen overs, hopes were high with Hill A. and Bywater at the crease; two very capable big hitters. Hill A. was going well until he received one of ‘those’ balls – it bounced three times and looked harmless down the leg side. Hill A. looked to give it the punishment it deserved but got a top edge and was caught behind for 27. Disaster.

More disaster was to follow. Hill J. made a brief appearance before being adjudged LBW for one run. Lockley is another batsmen who is very capable of scoring big runs but a hideous mix-up saw him run out for one. He trudged off utterly dejected (left).

Things were now looking dire for the Bedouins. Time for the skipper to enter the fray and the guide his team victory with a Captain’s innings. Nope. He struggled to make 10 runs before being caught at mid wicket going for a big boundary.

The 29th over and Bedouins were 88 for 6. But still Bywater was plugging away and picking up runs and eventually he had to retire on 50. Hancock, christening new batting gloves, brought his brand of “stand and hit it” batting to the game, which was just what was needed. He made a rapid 12 and generated some excitement with a boundary before losing his middle stump (pictured right). But before that, George made three before being caught and Moran looked promising, hitting a four as soon as he reached the crease but then playing across the line to a ball that kept mighty low and was given out LBW.

With score on 128 in the 36th over the game looked to be going North Park’s way. Pearson was at the crease and Bywater returned. Pearson concentrated on giving Bywater the strike and not getting out which he managed to do 2 not out). Bywater then launched an almighty six to get the Bedouin faithful cheering again. The game was balancing on a knife edge. The end of the 38th over and Bedouins were 143 for 9; two overs to get 18 runs – not impossible with the Terminator at the crease. Hopes were dashed however in the 39th over when Bywater was finally bowled for 60, and the Beds finished 17 runs short of victory. A great effort by the big man.

So with that, it was back to the New Inn for some tea, again laid on by North Park. The Chilli was superb and went down a treat. There was also Corned Beef Hash available. We were well looked after and many thanks to John Dobson and the boys and girls of North Park for that. The Rasche Shield was presented yet again to North Park by Mr Chairman and with that most of the team headed off on the long journey home.

A few headed back to the Premier Inn for another night and there was a very pleasant gathering in the Old Mill attended by Mr and Mrs Skip, Lauren Skip, Mr Hancock, Mr and Mrs Branch and Mr Moran. Another session that went on until last orders and a great way to finish off the tour.

Hopefully everyone enjoyed it. It was great that people made the effort to stay over and the skipper would like to thank all those that made the trip, and gave the whole occasion such a great atmosphere.

Man of the match – I think it would be fair to say it’s a toss up between Hill A. and Bywater so make up your own minds. It’s interesting that the two best performers on the day were the last ones out of the bar the night before (pictured above) but both had storming games, and the one thing skip will never forget was that hat-trick moment and the look on Hill A.’s face whilst being mobbed by the rest of the team. Priceless.

Tour photos available here.

Bedouins v Enville at Enville – Wednesday, 4 August 2010

Bedouins lost by 6 wickets

Bedouins finished the last of their Wednesday night fixtures with a disappointing six wicket defeat against an experienced Enville side, skippered by none other than Bedouins opening bat Branch. Bedouins were forced to make a couple of late signings due to the absence of George, Moxon and Currie.

Beds won the toss and elected to bat. Hall opened with Bywater who has been something of a revelation with the bat of late. Both are attacking batsmen by nature and it didn’t take them long to get going. Hall played some confident strokes but Bywater carried on from where he left off against Kinlet, powering the ball to the boundary. For this game the batting retirement was 25 and whilst on 22 Bywater decided to sign off with a massive 6 over long on. Hall had previously been stumped when on 15.

Hill Jnr in at three was on a mission to run quick singles and did so effectively, also finding the boundary in his total of 12 before being bowled whilst at the other end Gregory hit out to make a quick 22 before being caught at long on.

Johnston was just getting going when given out LBW on 12 and Hill A., despite being unavoidably late and having to bat down the order, still managed a useful 15 not out. Hancock bagged a brace but was then stumped neatly by Lockley and Bed for the day, Granger finished one not out.

A total of 110 from the Bedouins didn’t seem too bad and gave them something to bowl at. Indeed, at 11 for 2 after the third over, the Bedouins seemed to have the upper hand. Gregory’s pal Malcolm opened the bowling with a great spell of 2 for 10 from his two overs. Everybody had to bowl two overs, that was the rule. Pearson at the other end again bowled tidily with only eight coming from his spell.

Bywater finished with 1 for 11 from his two overs but after that Enville started to take control, pinching too many singles. Hill A. was chuffed to take a wicket in his two overs with only 10 runs being conceeded but that left Branch and Burn at the crease for Enville; two experienced old campaigners, who guided Enville home in the 18th over. The 15 extras conceeded  by Bedouins didn’t help their cause but there can be no excuses. Bedouins had another bad day at the office in a season of continuing ups and downs.

Bedouins will now head to Brighouse with the BedouWAGS in tow for the tour match against North Park. It will be great to have so many people staying overnight this time and that should create a good atmosphere and team spirit. Let’s win this time.

Bedouins v Kinlet at Enville – Sunday, 25 July 2010

Bedouins won by 6 wickets

Something strange and inexplicable is happening within Bedouins Cricket Club. All of a sudden after a few seasons of ham-fistedness of the first degree, the team has started to hold catches. After the six catches in the last game, another six were clung onto (and in some fashion) in this win over Kinlet.

The Bedouins welcomed Kinlet to an overcast but warm Enville, hoping to have some revenge for the stuffing they received earlier in the season at Kinlet’s ground. Both sides fielded ten players. George was still injured but Hill A came through his late fitness test, deciding that he would be able to hold a full pint of beer without hurting his bruised finger.

For once the skipper won the toss and decided to put Kinlet in to bat. Bywater and Pearson opened the bowling and both bowled so well, and kept the Kinlet batsmen pinned down that they both bowled their eight overs straight out. Pearson’s figures of 0 for 31 from 8 overs don’t really tell the story. The occasional wayward ball was punished by Kinlet, but there weren’t many and his line and length was mostly perfect. Bywater’s 0 for 13 from 8 overs was supreme and the pair kept Kinlet down to 46 from their first 16 overs.

The change saw Johnston’s mate Indy (who came with Des to help us out) come on to replace Bywater. We know him as Indy, that’s not his real name but apparently that is too hard to pronounce, so we shall call him Indy, and a jolly nice chap he was. He too kept up the pressure and his opening spell of four overs went for just eight runs.

Johnston replaced Pearson with his heady mix of flight and guile and will consider himself unlucky not to have picked up a wicket. Webster and Crook both retired on 50 for Kinlet and Engleheart dug in for a hard fought 23 but once these top three batsmen had departed Kinlet wickets started to tumble. The bowling was shared around; the skipper taking over from Johnston and unusually not giving too many runs away. His 3 for 22 from 6 overs included two caught and bowled, one a nonchalant one-handed (left-handed) catch. A sharp stumping from Hill J. accounted for the third wicket.

The other end saw Hancock turn his arm over for three overs. He would be the first to admit he got carted a bit but it was great to see the team still encouraging him and that’s where the team spirit has started to shine through again. And as someone who has only taken the game up seriously this season, at least he had the balls to give it a go. Hill A. also gave it a go. As someone who also doesn’t usually bowl his 1 for 21 from 3 overs was a result and we had the joy of, bowled Hill, caught Hill as Hill jnr took another catch behind the stumps.

Indy came back for a couple more overs showing good pace and claiming a deserved wicket to finish with 1 for 14 from 6 overs. Goodman took a wicket with his first ball and went on to mop up with 3 for 18 from his 3 overs. There was another catch from the skipper in there, who has decided the easiest way to catch a ball is just with the left-hand. At least he’s found something else to do with his left hand now. Hill J. took another catch behind to cap off a good performance.

A great showing from the Bedouins in the field, keeping Kinlet down to 191 from their 40 overs. The effort was faultless, especially Johnston who threw himself to the floor on numerous occasions. He, Hancock and Pearson saw a lot of the ball and made a formidable barrier but everybody did their bit.

After a glorious break between innings of tea and cake laid on the the Bedouettes, the Bedouins set about chasing their target of 192 and they made a remarkable start. Branch and Hill A. looked totally in control with Branch particularly milking the leg side but Hill A. also ran the field ragged. Both retired at the 50 mark and in fact the Bedouins didn’t lose their first wicket until they were on 142; Goodman making 27 before being given out lbw.

Hill jnr got in and then went for the big shot and was bowled for 4. Johnston fell lbw for 4 and Indy was caught on 5, so this mini collapse looked a little worrying for a while but all that changed with the introduction of Bywater. He hit the ball harder than anything the skipper can remember seeing in his long Bedouins career and some of his off drives were pure class. He was joined by Hancock and it was great to see him hit the winning runs by launching the ball to the deep extra cover boundary for four. A great way to win the game not just for Hancock personally (who definitely enjoyed it) but for all involved. Bywater finished 32 not out and Hancock 5 not out.

After being thrashed at Kinlet by 71 runs and not performing well it was good to see the Bedouins make a fist of it and enjoy it so much in the process. A bit of the old Bedouins spirit was back and long may it continue.

The day was rounded off by another superb buffet and many thanks to the Bedouettes for that. What a cracking day.

Bedouins v Karl Aston XI – Wednesday, 21 July 2010

Bedouins won by 10 wickets

Never before has the saying “catches win matches” been more accurate. Bedouins held an impressive 6 catches to skittle out a competitive Karl Aston XI and romp to a second 10 wicket victory of the season.

For once the Bedouins had little trouble in getting a full side together. The only late match day trauma was captain of vice, George, ruining his back in a six-a-side match earlier in the day. Every cloud has a silver lining and Bedouins super sub Hall stepped in at late notice.

The KA XI won the toss and elected to bat. They signalled their intentions by attacking from the off but wickets soon began to tumble.  Spratters, returning to the side after a long layoff with injury took a wicket in his first over, with Hill A. taking a well-judged catch in the deep, but  taking a nasty blow to his drinking hand in the process. Bywater got in on the act in his second over with, this time, Gregory taking the catch. Kureshi was the main threat for KA XI and he went on to retire on 30.

The whole of the Bedouins bowling attack performed well. Saxon came on first change and took a wicket with his first ball (good bowling change skip) another confident catch by Hill J behind the stumps. Saxon finished with 1 for 13 from 3 overs. Meanwhile at the other end Currie bowled very tidily and in his third over suddenly found himself on a hat-trick. His first wicket was a neat catch from Hall and the second was clean bowled. His hat-trick bowl went for four runs and he finished with 2 for 19 from 3 overs.

Gregory chipped in with 1 for 19 from 3 overs with Hall again taking the catch. Pearson saw his first ball despatched to the boundary for four but then took three wickets in 6 balls. Even the skipper managed to hang on to a catch. Pearson finished with 3 for 20 from 3 overs.

With Kureshi coming back to the crease the skipper turned back to his opening bowlers although Spratters never got a chance for another over as, with his ball, Bywater dismissed the dangerous batsman with a pearler, removing his off stump. KA XI finished on 96 in the 17th over.

Bedouins, in reply couldn’t have asked for a better start. Hill A’s finger stopped him opening with Branch as usual so Hall filled in and did the job well  – not taking long to retire on 30. The Bedouins continued a steady run chase with Branch joined by the skip. Branch also retired on 30 not out and it was Hill J who came in at the end to hit the winning runs in the 18th over. He finished 8 not out and the skip 20 not out.

So another 10 wicket win but it by no means a walkover. KA XI were a good competitive side but they were unlucky enough to meet the Beds on one of their better days.

A word to Karl Aston, who has previously played several games for the Bedouins and, for his sins, went to school with the skipper (there’s a few stories there). Don’t give the game up mate, you’ve got too much to offer still. Come and have a regular game for the Bedouins.

Bedouins v Pedmore House at Enville – Wednesday, 30 June 2010

Bedouins lost by 22 runs

Bedouins welcomed back some absentees from the last few games for the home fixture with Pedmore House. Currie, George and Moxon all returned to the fold but it was not enough to rescue the Beds from another defeat in what is developing into a topsy-turvy season.

Usually a score of 139 would be enough to win a midweek 20 over thrash but on this occasion  it left the Beds 23 runs short of victory. A Pedmore House side including Gregory, Hall and Woodhouse was always going to provide stiff competition. Unfortunately they brought some pretty handy mates with them as well. PH won the toss and elected to bat; Bywater and George opened the bowling and Bywater proved to be the pick of the bowlers for the Bedouins finishing with 1 for 14 from his four overs. Everyone else appeared to be a bit out of sorts.

The outfield was bone dry and extremely fast and that coupled with a lacklustre bowling performance meant that PH amassed a score of 159 for the loss of just two wickets. Both wickets where down to good catches taken behind the stumps by Hill Jnr who is settling into the Keepers role very quickly. The second catch particularly was very tidy with Hill Jnr diving in front of slip to take the catch. But this was about the high point in the Bedouins fielding performance. Pearson tweaked a fetlock and was substituted for Hancock.

The Bedouins reply was actually a good effort. Moxon (26) and Lockley (15) both looked in good form. Lockley launched a massive six but was visibly naffed-off at being caught shortly after. Branch (15), Johnston (20), Bond (15) and Bywater (23) all got their eye in but just when they were getting going, got out again. The steady loss of wickets meant that Bedouins fell well behind the run-rate with Hill J (1), Susman (8 not out) and Hancock (2) dragging the Bedouins to a reasonable reply of 137 for 8.

Pedmore House kindly provided fish and chips afterwards which was gleefully devoured and many thanks go to them for that. The Bedouins have a three week break now which will hopefully recharge their batteries before facing a Karl Aston XI at Enville on July 21st.

Kinlet v Bedouins at Moffat School – Tuesday, 29 June 2010

Bedouins lost by 71 runs

After many seasons of trying, and having the game rained off, the Bedouins rolled into Moffat school in the wilds of the Shropshire countryside to play Kinlet in setting much akin to that of Enville. You could come up with several reasons why the Bedouins got hammered in this game. They were a man short; the ground was small and Kinlet had ‘local knowledge’ of how to play it; many of the regular Bedouins were absent (George, Hill A, Hill J, Moxon, Thomas, Currie). But at the end of the day Kinlet put in a strong performance worthy of the win and the Beds left with their tails between their legs.

Beds won the toss and put Kinlet in to bat. Kinlet had requested that every player bowled two overs and so Bywater and Pearson kicked of the proceedings. Bywater went for just 6 runs off his two overs and Pearson (taking an over to adjust to the sloping wicket) 15 but taking the first wicket.

It was one of those grounds where if the batsman avoided the fielder with his shot he would more than likely get four runs. The retirement for batting was set at 25 and three of the Kinlet players made it to that point. Some of the Bedouin bowlers came in for some fearful stick. Johnston going for 28 and our Polish overseas player, Dewinski, going for 25 (adding insult to injury by missing a run out from 6 inches away, when it was harder to miss the stumps than hit them). The skipper chipped in by dropping another catch that he should have held onto – an advert for Specsavers if ever there was one.

Hancock bowled his first two overs ever in any form of cricket and after a nervy first couple of balls produced a few ‘dots’. He should take comfort from the fact that on the night he was by no means the most expensive bowler (hi Des). Although the ball was being battered about nobody managed to do a ‘Neale’ and get hit for 24 from one over. Your record still stands Mitch.

The result of all this was that Kinlet finished on 163 for 4 from their 20 overs. Possibly the biggest target the Bedouins have ever chased in a 20 over game – the skipper was confident though that there was enough talent in the Beds side to get close.

Branch (14) and Bond (19) gave Bedouins a solid start, and Lockley was hitting the ball hard until being given out LBW on 24. After that it all went downhill quite quickly mostly thanks to the bowling of Mooney for Kinlet, who finished with 5 for 5 from his two overs. Kinlet held onto their catches with the skipper and Gregory being caught in the deep (Gregory first ball) and Dewinski (1) and Hancock (another first-baller who was left cursing and shaking his head) failed to trouble the scorer too much. The only high point towards the end was a 6 from Bywater to the longest part of the ground and Pearson’s exquisitely timed 6 to square leg. It was all over in the 13th over with the Beds scraping 92.

Never mind, it was a fine evening and although they thrashed us, Kinlet are a nice bunch of blokes and we were thankful for the food put on for us afterwards in the Eagle and Serpent. We shall look forward to having them back to Enville on Sunday 25th July for a 40 over game. Let’s hope the Beds can perform better on home soil.

Pictured: The victorious Bedouins side at Ombersley. Back row, left to right: Pearson, Branch, Lockley, Susman, Hill A., Hall.
Front row: Dewinski, Hancock, Hill J., Bond (Basildon Bond)

Open GI v Bedouins at Ombersley – Wednesday, 23 June 2010

Bedouins won by 10 runs

After a more than unconvincing performance the previous week against Kinlet, the Bedouins bounced back with a very strong performance against Open GI on a hard and bouncy Ombersley wicket.

Again only scraping together ten players and with the skipper not fully fit it looked like the Beds could struggle against an Open GI side containing some very good cricketers. The Beds were put into bat with the now legendary opening pair of Branch and Hill A. once again starting proceedings. They are, without doubt, fast becoming the new Gordon Greenidge and Desmond Haynes, although God knows which is which.

The opening bowlers for Open GI were certainly no slouches and in the second over Branch lost his off stump to a peach of a ball for just 2. Hill A. at the other end (I’m told by Mr Scorer) took seven overs to get off the mark but at the other end Hall, who had put in a Man of the Match performance at Alveley, set about doing the same again making a confident, quick fire 31 before retiring.

Bond now joined Hill A. with the latter starting to find the boundary at regular intervals before retiring on 32. Bond too upped the pace with some lusty boundaries until being stumped on 20. Hill J. was in at number 5 and was joined by Pearson who was promoted in the batting order after his timed-to-perfection sweet 6 at Kinlet and he didn’t disappoint with a very accomplished 21 not out, well supported by Hill J. with 9 not out. The Bedouins finished on 136 for 2. Not a record for the Beds but a great score to set.

Branch took the Beds helm for the Open GI innings due to the skipper’s drug-induced state and turned to Bond and Hall to open the bowling. Bedouins had the difficult job of keeping the score down on a large quick outfield so bowling was going to be key, especially with only nine fit men on the pitch. Bond and Hall did the job well and Open GI were restricted to 26 off the first 6 overs, losing the wicket of Johnston in the process; Pearson holding the catch well in the deep off Hall.

Lockley and Dewinski were first change for the Beds with the latter picking up a wicket in his second over but it was when Hancock was introduced to the bowling attack that it all kicked off. With his very first ball he had McNally caught behind. Hill J relieving his old man of the keeper’s gloves for this game and taking a good clean catch. Hancock wasn’t finished and with an interesting mix of line and length took two more wickets in the over; one clean bowled and the other well caught by Dewinski. Hancock may have wished he had finished after his first over with figures of 3 for 3 especially as his second over went for 22 but it still meant that Open GI were running out of wickets and were behind the run rate.

However, Open GI never gave up and came back strongly at the end and it looked like they would get close to the 137 needed. Pearson turned his arm over to take 1 for 12 and Branch wobbled a few to take 1 for 15. Lockley held another catch on the boundary (can’t remember when we last held four catches in a game) and put to shame Susman, Hill A. and Hancock who all put one down.

Hall came back at the death and claimed another wicket to finish with 2 for 14 from his 4 overs and probably edging the Man of the Match again although it was a top performance from the whole side. Thanks to Des and the boys at OpenGI for their hospitality, it was a great night.

Thoughts now turn to the home game against Pedmore House……..

Bedouins v HMP Birmingham at Enville – Wednesday, 26 May 2010

Match abandoned

Bedouins went head to head with HMP Birmingham on what started out as a bone dry Enville ground. Shame it didn’t stay that way.

Bedouins batted first by default as come start time they only had seven players. Hill A. who had recently been threatening to retire from the game due to not seeing the point in buying a pair of new boots at this late stage of his cricketing career, opened the batting with Gregory who had been kind enough to loan an old pair of his boots to Hill Snr. A lot of good it did. Hill Snr was out for three.

Skipper joined Gregory and the two set about putting a bit of a stand together until Gregory played all round a straight one. Hill J. looked set to bag some runs until being tricked with a cunning slower ball and he departed for three.

Hancock came to the crease and had his half-hour. (Sorry, got that one out of my system now). He signalled his intentions with a classic lofted drive over mid-off and thereafter proceed to attack every ball. This fired the Bedouins into life a bit as the run rate had been a bit slow but unfortunately when on 13 he played and missed and the fun came to an end.

Branch made the crease although he was some what unwell and perhaps that is why he departed again on just six. Although, to be fair, he went to what will be one of the catches of the season at square leg. At this point it had started raining. The skipper retired on 30 and so young Lockley came in and showed what a class act he is, making a quick-fire 26 not out. With some very hard hitting and one six in the process.

George failed to trouble Mr Scorer and Pearson finished one not out. By this time the rain had got pretty heavy and although the teams waited it out there appeared to be no chance of getting the HMP Birmingham innings under way and it was decided the best thing to do was retire to the pavilion for tea and a pint and call the game off.

Shame – Bedouins had finished their innings in a strong position with a score of 121 for 6 but such is life as a cricketer. We’ll have to await the return fixture later in the season to see who gets the bragging rights.