1st XI Match Report: Beckenham v. Tunbridge Wells
The return to the May weather after the recent fine spell meant a delayed start to Beckenham’s clash with high-flying Tunbridge Wells due to water under the covers. While the drying operation and umpires’ inspections took place, this scorer welcomed colleague Emily and her delightful collie/corgi cross, Nero. With a reduced 40 overs match agreed, the start was scheduled for 1.30 after which Beckenham skipper won the toss and asked Wells to bat.
It transpired that the wicket would not be easy to bat on and openers Chris Williams and Will Stickler applied themselves to get the innings off to a bright start with 54 on the board before Shojib Ali had Stickler holing out to Johan Malcolm for 26 in the 11th over. Williams, meanwhile, was getting his range and moving through the gears with some powerful strokeplay forcing Senn into a bowling change with Kamran Khan and Johan Malcolm in partnership. And it worked with Khan removing the Stickler brothers in the space of three overs to bring Beckenham back into the game at 84-3 nearly at the halfway point. Now Alex Williams took up the reins with his brother and was quickly under way as Chris completed a fine fifty at almost a run-a-ball. As Rob Clements’ left-arm spin replaced Malcolm’s off-spin, another crucial breakthrough came Beckenham’s way as Finn Bryan safely held the dangerous Chris Williams for an excellent 64. At the pavilion end, Mudit Dayal was plying his leg-breaks skilfully and the combination with Clements reaped rich dividends as Dayal had Alex Williams brilliantly held by James Fear for 42 and then the pair took a further wicket apiece to have Wells on 166-7 in the 34th over. Unfortunately for the home side, the tail wagged through Ian McLean who struck the ball in adding a valuable 20 before further wickets for Dayal and the returning Malcolm closed the innings at 196-9. This had been a gutsy performance by the home attack which was well supported in the field.
Against the impressive openers Australian Bailey Wightman and the left-arm Isaac Bepey, it was difficult for the home openers to get a start. The promoted Rithik Hari got into his stride and again showed flashes of his fine form of 2019 but sadly, Finn Bryan’s run of poor form continued and he was held by McLean off Wightman for 4. Senn, showing few signs of last week’s sprained ankle, busied himself in helping Hari to push the score along until McLean had him edging to keeper Buttery standing up. James Fear showed his normal polished form with some good strokes until the left-arm spin of Chris Davis accounted for both Fear and Hari in successive overs to leave Beckenham groggy on 66-4 in the 22nd over. Johan Malcolm and Jahid Ahmed got things moving before the return of Bepey shattered Ahmed’s stumps at 94-5. A plethora of wides from the left-arm quick aided by some aggressive strokeplay saw a promising stand take shape between Malcolm and Khan but the introduction of Alex Williams resulted in both Malcolm (32) and Clements perishing in successive deliveries from full-blooded square cuts. With no chance of victory, Khan refused to give up and he was last out for 21 giving Wells victory by 44 runs. This had been a fine match played in an excellent spirit with Wells showing exactly why they are one of this year’s front-runners. For Beckenham, a good start in good time is so important in order to give those with the ability to force the pace to be able to do just that without being put under undue pressure.
Scorecard: https://kcl.play-cricket.com/website/results/4146908 (external site)