Post date: Jul 16, 2013 11:59:46 AM
It was a long journey for BCC away at Kilmington made shorter by another trip in the Hatton BCC party bus. The sun was out, with temperatures reaching over 30 degrees, which meant that it was going to be hard work for both teams to play in the heat, (but at least it wasn't raining)!
Spirits were high as skipper Lee Jutson won the toss meaning BCC didn't have to field in the scorching heat before batting. Mark Fog and Jack Hatton where the first to the crease starting well getting a quick-fire 60 partnership. Jaws hit the ground as Jack Hatton played at a good ball and was caught on 32, making less than 50 for one of the first times this season. In came Phil Hatton to keep Mark company, but shortly after Jack's wicket, Mark took a ball to the pad and with a half-hearted, one man appeal, Mark was sent walking back to the pavilion for 27 (another trigger for Mark Fog!). A determined Tom Fog then went out to make up some well needed runs but was again caught in the slips and was after given a massive send-off. To make matters worse Phil Hatton lost in the father-son competition as he was given a good ball coming of the edge of the bat and was also caught behind. The Kilmington players’ eyes lit up and the BCC heads were starting to drop. Matt Dennis (playing his second game for the real BCC) and Ian were into bat and were looking very solid. Disaster struck as Matt was sent walking as he was undone by the bouncer and gave the 4th catch of the day so far. Next in was Pat Ewen with the pressure to post a decent score now on the lower order batsmen. Ian was left shaking his head as he watched another man get caught off a poor shot. Bridestowe were in serious trouble, until sensible veteran Neil Griffiths unleashed some huge shots, smashing the first over he faced away for 20. Ian and Neil got Briddy up to a defendable score, but both crumbled just before their 50s with Ian making 40, and Neil making 43. Some lusty blows by skipper Lee Justson towards the end meant that the total score was 208 all out from 43 overs. That meant full batting points, but it was still going to be hard to keep Kilmington below it as the outfield was rapid and the pitch wasn't doing a lot.
A focused Bridestowe team exited the changing room looking to get on top in the field. It was the Fogertys opening up, with Tom taking the first over. As usual it was a solid start, with the batsmen not hitting Tom of the square for the first over. Daniel also started with a tight maiden, with the batsmen getting lucky on a few occasions. Putting pressure on the batsmen between the Fogs led the opening bat to edge one to slip with a safe, one handed catch from Phil Hatton. The pressure was added as Tom took another wicket in the eighth over of the match getting out number 3. Kilmington then rallied, as they looked to get on top of the change bowlers. Boundaries started to come at a worrying rate, but Lee and Jacko both managed to bag a brace of wickets to keep us in the game. After some good batting, their number 5 managed to see them home with 4 wickets and around 5 overs to spare. In the end, we didn't have quite enough runs on the board, with top order wickets costing us dearly. Next week BCC are home to Kenn, in a huge game that we'll be looking to win to keep ourselves away from the relegation battle towards the end of the season!