BLCC (146 all out) beat Baring Up CC (95 all out) 

Match Report by Stan Leeson

Back row (left to right:) Laurence Marsh, Sheldon Greenland, Aajay Cunningham, Jack Ensor, Anthony Wilcox ©, Elliott Goss, Henry Lloyd-Hughes
Front row: Joe Ridout, Stan Leeson, Max Bennett (†), Ben Parker

Baring were once again without a full compliment of players, but won the toss and elected to field on a dubious looking wicket at springfield park.

Ben Parker & Max Bennett negotiated the first few overs of a new ball that was nibbling off the seam and swinging in the air. Bennett was bowled by a jaffa from the excellent Khaled which brought skipper fo the day Anthony Wilcox to the crease. Sadly Ben Parker also fell bowled to Khaled (4-10) and Wilcox & Ensor had to rebuild. Wilcox looked his reliable and classy self stroking several nice boundaries when the pitch and bowling allowed him onto the back foot before being super unlucky to be bowled off his pad and a bit of his glove by spinner Shahead. This brought Leeson to the crease, who defended solidly providing support to Ensor who now in, was beginning to tee off. He smashed Baring Ups spinners around hitting six fours and two huge sixes, Cotterill taking particular punishment (1-52), making a pitch that looked dubious at the best of times, seem very docile indeed. However Ensors excellent hitting was undone as the pitch did its work again for the 4th bowled of the innings. Leeson was the next to go, hitting a rank full toss straight to square leg before being stumped next ball by sharp work from Barings second keeper of the game Hasan. Lawrence & Eliot Goss were now at the crease and must have been fondly remembering their uni days batting together as they defended doughtily batting time and nudging the ball around. A key stand. They both fell LBW (though Lawrence may have edged it onto his pad) to Sabine (2-17) HLH came and went spanking a classy drive straight into covers diving hands. After several dropped catches this was a relief for Baring Up. All rounders Ajay & Sheldon put on a cracking stand to take the bloody lads up to 147, AJ batting cleverely for a well made 20 and Sheldon hit some licksy boundaries and 2 sixes one of which a glorious straight drive back over the bowlers head hitting a mercedes parked nearby! Both fell bowled to the returning Khaled, leaving Ridout Not out and the lads 147 to defend.

Baring Up were soon under the cosh as Sheldon steamed in, having a huge appeal for a nick to keeper Bennett turned down in the first over by a sheepish umpire to an incredulous response from the BLCC. However this only served to pump up Sheldon, opening bowler Ridout and the whole team. Joe Ridout made the first breaktrhough cleverly bowling Boyd early doors. Sheldon followed up getting number three batsman Ghosh caught by Ajay Cunningham for 4. Sheldon followed up in an inspired spell, often to 5/6 slips and a gully, prompting Eliott Goss to remark ‘God I love this field’ as the BLCC packed the cordon, by bowling Shahed witha clever slower ball.

Then came the wicket the lads had been waiting for, opener Hasan after his early reprieve had stuck around, amidst much banter about his Ferarri Cap until Sheldon induced a false shot which spiralled into the air and was gobbled up by Ajay Cunninghams safe hands.

With Baring Up 26/5 after 9 overs BLCC had come charging out of the blocks. Wilcox showed excellent captaincy by bowling Sheldon & Ridout through and after Sheldon removed Godhi LBW. Khaled batted well to repair some of the damage, but he fell to the irresistible Sheldon for 23 bowled again. Baring up were 62-6 at drinks.

BLCC’s fielding was catlike and skipper Wilcox wore the ball on his chest, face and hands, setting a fine example for all in the field.

Post drinks spinner Ajay Cunningham and second seamer Goss joined the party. Sheldon finished with 5/26 and Ridout 1/25. Cunningham’s brutal arm ball went unread time and again by some good players of spin. Leeson shelled a sharp chance at cover, before Ajay got his first wicket removing the phlegmatic Kahn for 21. The probing Eliott Goss (1-19) picked up Weston & Cunningham (2-22) bowled the number 10 batsman ending the game. Baring up skipper Sabine looked classy and elegant Not out on 25, as Baring up bowed out for 97.

A stunning win for BLCC who showed superb team spirit alongside the individual performances of Ensor, Greenland, Cunningham et al.

Man of the Match: Sheldon Greenland for 2016′s first 5 wicket haul and an important knock with the bat.