Bromley Common v 3rd XI

The Beautiful settings of ‘The Acorns’ played host to a truly remarkable game of cricket as Bromley Common welcomed The Heath’s 3rd XI. The day didn’t start well as Steve called wrong on the only toss that would have mattered so far this season, as the opposition skipper decided to bat first on what looked a belter of a track and the sun on the backs. And the Common’s early order proved just that as the Heath’s bowlers thought let’s pitch it half way down the track and let’s see what happens, well it doesn’t take Einstein to tell you the ball will end up at the boundary fence, unless Mitchell can stop it with an endless array of dives to his left and right. We only had a wicket apiece from Shuk and Ryan to show as Bromley Common raced passed to 100 mark and well on their way to at least doubling that score. Only the enforced change of ends due to the trench dug by Nick Parnham’s crampon soled boots saw Billy & Shuk peg the run rate back. A fine pick up and throw down of the stumps by Ryan and Billy picking up his second wicket by bowling the their No.4 for 70 enabled The Heath to limit Bromley Common to 185 for 5, which should have been 6 as Sam could have literally walked down the wicket for a run out but put the ball in his pocket and trundled off for tea denying us another bonus point. Another fantastic tea, and maybe the only good reason for batting second, as we could devour, sit back and watch Ben & Hobbsy see off 20 overs of extremely tight bowling while our lunch digested, The steady start although not prolific in runs produced enough score to keep us in the game, but more importantly wickets in hand. Hobbsy went for 30 just after the drinks break and Darren went for 14 in the 30th over, this left the game evenly poised, 73 runs need 10 overs to go. Never mind the skipper thought, we still have the two 2’s crackers to come in Shuk & big hitting Sam Montgomery. Archie scored a run a ball 9, before he was chirped out running down the wicket and missing a straight one. No problem still Shuk & Sam waiting to unleash with pads on. For the second week running Ben looked well capable of picking up a ton and seeing us home in the process, but fell short on 77 from 100 balls which include 10 fours. It was now the time that the large expected crowd of Heath supporters had waited for, the two gladiators to see us home… oops 3 balls later they were both nestled back in the hutch for ducks. The returning quickie was now in full flow and hit Mitchell with four bouncers in quick succession (reminiscent of the Skipper at Hythe a couple of years back), but just like Steve, Mitchell didn’t show any signs of being intimidated and some fine running between the wickets by him and Ryan edged us closer until one too many gambles to deep midwicket’s arm saw Mitchell run out for 11. This left 4 overs and 28 needed for victory and Ben texting his dad of the ensuing defeat. Nick and Ryan took another 7 runs off the target, before Ryan was bowled for 8. I must admit the next couple of overs were a blur as skipper was hurriedly putting on pads in anticipation of being needed. Hit and run was now the order and Nick P and Billy turned dot balls into ones and hits to their let’s say older and tiring fielders turned into one on their pickups and a second on their throw. 7 needed from 7 balls somehow turned into a 3 ball victory as the 7 runs came from 3 balls that were hardly hit off the square. Steve breathed a sigh of relief that he was not needed and the dignified victory cheer from the lads was a fitting end to an outstanding game of cricket, It was just left for the other game’s early finished rubberneckers to trundle back to bar having not seen the blood their were expecting. Again loads of candidates for man of the match but second week running the resurrected Ben Moore wins the award for his near faultless 77, Billy Hally needs mention as a very close second, a fine thoughtful spell bowling and 15 not out from just 8 balls at the intense death of the innings.