1stXI Match Report: Bromley Common v Beckenham (Friendly)
Beckenham’s last Saturday friendly before the start of the League took place at Bromley Common’s ground the Grove looking beautiful in the early summer sunshine. The two scorers, friends for many years, set up shop in probably the best scorebox in Kent and awaited the result of the toss which was that home skipper Leigh Walker had won and elected to bat.
Commmon openers Leigh Walker and Toby Finzel started steadily against Junaid Nadir and Alex Purwar, putting on 29 in four overs before Purwar had Walker caught for 18. A confident stand then ensued between Finzel and Rajat Sharma before first-change Mahi dismissed Sharma for 30. Purwar then struck again shortly after to remove Finzel and Common were 74-3 from 18 overs. This was Beckenham’s last success for a while as overseas player Kaber and Roberts stamped their authority on proceedings. Acting skipper James Balmforth rang the changes but the breakthrough was not forthcoming although the visitors’ overseas Darren Butler bowled a steady spell of off-spin. Kaber completed a fine fifty in 68 balls but then lost his partner Roberts to Sam Coulson for 34 having shared a stand of 106. The return of Nadir brought two quick wickets, the first being Kaber for 57 before Gallagher orchestrated a useful stand of 36 for the seventh wicket, the innings closing on 228-7. Alex Purwar had the best figures for Beckenham with 2-19.
The visitors’ reply could not have started in a more disastrous fashion as Rithik Hari having slipped, was easily run out. He was quickly followed by Mahi dabbing a limp shot to point off Roberts to make Beckenham 1-2. Last season’s leading run scorer James Fear was then trapped in front in Roberts’ next over and Darren Butler followed in the next to leave Beckenham in a sorry state at 12-4. The experienced Jason Bilimoria then began the rescue operation in the company of ex-plinker Ross Piller. Both batsmen ran well and used good shot selection as their stand passed fifty before Bilimoria fell to Sharma just short of a well-deserved half-century. Piller then completed an excellent fifty from 61 balls as Nadir struck a couple of useful blows before being the sixth wicket to fall. Piller’s fine innings was ended when Gallagher had him holing out to Eldridge for 60 which included four sixes. James Balmforth made a solid 22 at the end but Beckenham were all out for 176 with Roberts having the best return for Common with 3-12.
Scorecard: https://beckenham.play-cricket.com/website/results/5617145 (external site)