3rd XI v Bromley

Another home toss won by Steve, (pity he can’t call correct on the away fixtures) and a solid 169 for 5 from the 3XI’s allotted 40 overs. This was mainly due to a commanding performance from George Monk, who not only saw off the new ball, but patiently built his innings and didn’t give any chances, just waited for the errant balls to accumulate his score and finished unbeaten on 82 from 109 balls which included 11 fours. The other two noteworthy scores were a 23 from Graham & 22 from Archie. These three along with extras help Bexleyheath amass a more than respectable score at tea. Ryan opened the bowling in Nick’s absence along with Billy at the other end, and after a steady start by the Bromley’s openers, both were removed in quick succession, Ryan struck first blow with a favourable LBW decision, followed by a catch behind off Billy. A mix up in running between the wickets caught both batsman heading to the same end as Neil threw to the right end, this followed by a very smart stumping from Archie off the skip’s rare outing with the ball had the oppo 4 down for 63 and the Heath firmly in the box seat. This was all to change with some big hitting from their middle order. Steve went for 2 sixes and a four in one over and Billy wasn't faring much better from the other end also going for 2 maximums. The partnership was broken by a steepler of a catch. A top edge slog went straight up, so high that any of the 10 fielders could have had time to race in from the boundary, but the only one who hadn't seen where it had gone was the keeper Archie, with 10 shouts of “It’s yours Archie”, he looked up just in time before being flattened and took the catch to dismiss Ariful Kayshar for 58. This didn't stop the momentum of the innings, as their skipper now took over the reins, 2 more sixes followed and Bromley were on 145 for 5, 25 needed with 6 plus overs to go. Another massive hit looked to be heading into the scorers, Teresa put up the umbrella as protection, Neil Alsemgeest was running around the boundary in more hope than anticipation of a catch, but somehow a gust of breeze held the ball up and it fell into Neil’s hands an inch or two from the white line, the squealing cheers from the watching mums could be heard across Danson Lake. Within the next 3 balls George had finished the over with 3 wickets and the game turned on its head. Ryan back in the attack smelt blood and finished of the tail in style, No 10 going first ball, caught at the wicket and next over clean bowling the wily old timer to finish with figures of 8.5 overs 3 for 13. Bexleyheath had won a gripping match by 15 runs and picked up the 20 points in the process, and onto the big one next week as we face unbeaten New Ifield on their turf. Man of the Match was an easy one this week, George’s unbeaten and flawless 82 and match turning 3 Wicket Over wins it. On another day keeper Archie’s 5 dismissals and Neil’s 3 outfield victims along with Ryan superb bowling analysis could have made it a lot harder to choose.