1st XI Match Report vs Bedminster 2s (H) Saturday 9th July

By Mr Perfect, Will Thomas

With the sunshine beaming this week, there was no chance of not getting a full 50 overs in per side. As illness hit the team this week, we welcomed back Rhys Grove to keep wicket with the lurgy keeping Jack Gunningham out. Charlie came in for her second game in the First XI this season, replacing Mitch Johnson (Jacob Wardle) who was giving some under 18 footballers a rub down.

As we won the toss and batted first, both openers Perfect (5) and Quiet (17) were out driving on the up on a pitch that looked like the A4. It was unusual for both Thomas and Brain to fail, Charlie said to me after he was out ‘better let someone else pull their finger out this week’. I said steady on Brain.
As PK and Milo went about their work, driving, sweeping and swiping for 4 and 6 we raced to 100-2 from 16.5 overs. The bowling was tidy but the batting was proper tidy like. Ben Cunliffe, our former first team captain’s son, tried the short ball approach to PK. 18 runs later he was out the attack. As Milo (35) slapped a long hop to point, and PK (77) held out driving to mid off, we were 146-4 from 25 overs and a rebuild was on our hands.

We had to call on all 52 years experience from my hero Chris Munden and Duffman Whitemore who steadily built the score back up. At the second drinks interval the score had passed 200, and with Munden sweeping well and Josh cutting well, a big score looked on. Unfortunately it was one too many sweeps for Chris as he top edged for a fine innings of 34. Duffman continued, blazing the ball to all parts now as TW Cam came to the crease instantly upping the scoring rate. He ran josh ragged, poor lad. A run 3, followed by a run 4 caused a beetroot red face for Duffman, as 50 was behind him and a maiden ton was on.

Cam continued to show his class, hitting particularly well straight, before the last 5 over onslaught from Whitemore. A six off Carter narrowly missed the camera. (if you would like to watch the highlights they are on the pitchero website). As the hundred was up, he puffed out his cheeks, raised his bat, but didn’t kiss the badge? Poor effort really. Briz ended on 332/5 with Cam 40* and Josh 109*.

In reply it was Cam who was first to strike, he does it all nowadays. A slower ball bumper that was put away for four softening up Mr Tryfanos worked as he was caught by camera catching JR. Then Mr Tickle had bragging rights over little Cunliffe, LBDouching him and sending him some nasty Facebook messages after the game. Badger city.

Then it was time for spin and Charlie came into the attack, cursing and swearing every other ball at some of the inept fielding. As the skipper dropped a dolly it looked like it wasn’t to be her day before she claimed the key wicket of Coombes, a well held catch by Mr Tall Chris Bolton. Milo proved to be nearly as good as he thinks he is, bowling 6 overs 2-14, both with catches to slip for Duffman. Is there anything he cannot do? A couple of dives were out, as Wiggy was screaming get the camcorder on the sidelines. Then the last spinner Parag came on to clean up the last few batters along with the returning Mr Tickle. 3 each for the pair of them as Bedminster 2s ended on 198 all out and everyone deserved a well earned sit down beverage.

Whilst the celebrations were not appreciated by all up at Ironmould Lane, including myself who suffered a rather big headache afterwards, the atmosphere was great in the team for a comfortable victory. For Josh to get his hundred it was a remarkable achievement, coming in at 6 and being the first in the 1s to do so since 2018. Hopefully there will be more where that comes from throughout the rest of the season, the talent is certainly there. As we go into Knowle away next weekend, all we can do is try and keep winning and applying the pressure to the top 4 sides. Who knows, 8/8 wins to finish the season and maybe we could be champions.