FIRST XI MATCH REPORT SATURDAY 7TH MAY VS BEDMINSTER 2NDS (A)

Upon arriving to the ground at 10:45 (me and Callum were a bit keen), it was a surprise to see the sun out baking the hard ground for the hottest start to a season I can remember in years. After the first layer of sunscreen was applied, I always like to have a look at the wicket and pretend to know what it is going to do during the day. It looked like exactly what people thought it should look like apparently, dry, hard and a very short boundary one side that bowlers were looking at fearfully, and batters were looking at longingly.

Captain Rhys is a remarkable 3 out of 3 on the toss front and chose to bat, even though I believe if he had lost, we would have still ended up padding up first. Early on we were helped out by the ball being hard and new and a few deliveries straying onto the pads towards the short side, taking us to 40-0 from 6 overs. Debutant Charlie Brain got into his stride early, hitting the ball cleanly over long on for some of the prettiest sixes you could ever wish to see. Likewise, I had managed to break my duck for the season as we continued to build on our good start making our way to 70-0 from the first powerplay. Opening bowler for Bedminster Adam Mawer extracted bounce from up the hill and after trying to run myself out on 38, I got to 50 with a nervy single through the off side. At 125-0 we were going well, until the experience of James Carter and Tom Pugsley halted our progress. First to fall was Brain (48), who deserved a debut half century. Then Chris Munden (0) hit to deep cover off the bowling of Pugsley, before he got a finger on the ball to run me out backing up for 69. Wickets continued to fall as Carter bowled a tight straight line, claiming the wickets of Westbrook (4), Bolton (0) and Gunningham (5).

Finding ourselves 142-6 we desperately needed a rebuild, relying on our strength in depth to get us out of a hole. At the time, I think most of our side thought if we made it to 200 at least we would have something to bowl at. It took a great effort for Whitemore, playing his first game of the season, to combine with Ayres, playing with maturity and respecting the good bowling to put together a partnership of 65. Josh was out for a run a ball 31, hitting anything short to the fence expertly well. Of the back of his match winning 63 last week, Rhys had another ship to steady with over 15 overs to be bowled as we were in desperate need to use up all our time at the crease. He nudged and nurdled the ball well, protecting milo at the right times and releasing him towards the end of their partnership to attack the spin towards the short side. The invaluable partnership of 56 allowed the King that is Harry to go and attack the last few overs with all of his might. After Milo passed 50, he changed gears, and the unlikely ton was on with an over to go. Hitting towards the short side he required 20 from the last for a maiden ton, and after hitting the first two balls for six, everyone started to get a little bit excited. Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be on Saturday, however there is no doubt that if he continues in that vein of form the next opportunity will be right around the corner. Of course, I must mention arguably the best bit of our innings, Harry King running 6, maybe 7, steps down the wicket to hit the ball for six finishing with 24*(11) to give us all the momentum of 313-9 going into the second innings.

Whilst it was a quality effort from the boys we knew that the short boundary and the strength of the Bedminster batting line up meant that this game was not over and we would have to bowl and field well in order to get the win under our belts. The tone was set in the very first over, with Milo (fresh off 92) making an exceptional diving stop at point of the blade of Tryfanos. He was bowled by Whitemore later in the over as we started the innings with intent. James Riley had a difficult task at the other end bowling to Coombes who targeted the short side, striking the ball nicely straight. He stuck to his guns and continued to restrict as Whitemore did more damage at the other end reducing Bedminster to 19-2. After the two early wickets, Bedminster combined for a quick partnership, with number 4 Joe Shean and Coombes continuing to take the attack to our bowlers. With the scoring rate increasing, Rhys, only a jester to the brilliant King, made the change. Harry gave the batsmen nothing, chucking his 5p down on the wicket and setting his field accordingly. When Shean held out for 29, Bedminster were 89-3 from 18 overs and the tide was turning our way. Kinger continued to bowl accurately, claiming the wicket of Pugsley before also getting the wicket of Coombes (52) and leaving Bedminster 108-5 from 25 overs.

At this stage, we knew that it would be our game to lose, however we also knew who we were bowling to. Rob Cunliffe, former first team captain, and George Davey at 6 and 7 respectively meant that the game was still not over. Milo hustled through overs well and combined with Harry King limiting the scoring rate. Then, in his last over, Harry conceded an unprecedented 20 runs off the bat, as both players took advantage of the short side. His figures of 3-47 off 10 overs was still a brilliant effort with the game still in the balance, providing Rhys with much needed control.

It was up to the returning Josh Whitemore, who so often provides the vital breakthrough, getting Davey (48) out caught at long on by James riley, who’s heart was surely in his mouth. At 186-6, Bedminster required over 10 an over from the last 13 to win the game. A returning James Riley and I bowled a couple of tight overs to ensure that victory was out of reach, before Rob (75*) played some stylish shots through the covers in the last over of Whitemore (3-33) as we chased a wicket to gain an extra point. Overall, a great way to start the season with the win against a team that we knew would be tough, experienced and talented.

POTM: Milo Ayres for his 92 and 10 overs 0-45.

Captains thoughts: A performance that we can really be proud of. The openers created a stable base for all our attacking players to come in and bat with freedom. This, combined with some strict bowling on a ground with unusual dimensions, resulted in a well rounded performance. Shout outs to Will, Charlie and Milo with the bat, and Harry King and Josh with the ball!