10th May 2009
Our top order frailties were exposed again as a poor all around batting display, Phil excepted, led to our first defeat of the season.
Five out of five wins at the toss meant that once again we fielded first but maybe it didn’t serve us well today as the pitch got slower and lower as the game proceeded. Initially things looked good as Stuart ripped into the Bentley top order taking 5-35 inside 15 overs but he was unable to improve his career best bowling figures, having got his highest ever score with the bat a week ago. Bentley fought back tenaciously to post a decent total of 177 for nine wickets down, the remaining wickets being evenly shared by all the bowlers except Amir who didn’t manage to settle to a good length. Danny bowled without luck or decisions but his overs were our most economical.
In reply we simply lost wickets too frequently and too easily as full tosses and long hops led to wickets and a promising start turned into 47-4 after 18 overs. Darren, Peter, Amir and Stuart attempted a fight back but once again wickets fell just as each batsmen seemed to be set. Phil was our most successful batsmen hitting a beautiful flat, straight six that put a hole in the scoreboard. The freezing conditions should have been more difficult for the fielding side but Bentley kept their cool whenever we mounted a comeback.
All in all a very disappointing performance. We will have to bat much better in the top 5 if we are to do anything the league this year.
Great Bentley 177-9 vs. Cavaliers 149
Great Bentley won by 28 runs
PDQ Cars NECL Division 2
