BTCC V Cropredy

Cropredy were the visitors to Manor Fields this week.

Lying second in the table Cropredy had been on a good run in the league so far.

We were missing a few players and had decided to chase if we won the toss.

The Captain won the toss and asked Cropredy to bat.

We were again light on bowling, and Kane and Mahendran took the opening spell.

Kane was bowling very economically and with Clapp the opening bat playing and missing or scoring from lucky edges it was sensible for him to settle in for a longish spell.

The other opening bat Beecroft was looking more comfortable, and the first chance of the day fell to Ben, who spilled a catch when he was on 12, we would regret that later.

Beecroft went on to score 58; supported by his partner who scored 22 they were 60 for none when Bletchley finally struck Clapp being caught by Smith at mid off the bowler was Kane.

The bowlers stuck to their task and when Cropredy were 112 –3 after 35 overs we were looking to limit their score.

Thomas and the captain Coggins looked to keep the score ticking over and with the field set to limit the boundaries; singles were scampered by both batsmen.

Ben then struck twice Hussain stumped by Abs and bowling the opener Beecroft.

Jude and Ben were bowling in tandem, but were not troubling the batsmen.

With Ben flagging Kane replaced him and he took a wicket first ball bowling Bissett.

Dave Shepherd was brought in to the attack and he had Thomas stumped for 29, Kane then had the captain Coggins stumped for 38.

Ducks for Deegan and Campbell and two run outs saw Cropredy finish on 192.

In reply Bletchley made slow progress and after 10 overs they were 36-2, with the openers D Shepherd and M Shepherd scoring 15 and 10 respectively.

Ian “Monty” Smith batted well up the order again, but it was an imperious innings by Tom Brooks that gave us hope, he was joined by Jude when Smith was out for 11 and they put on a partnership of 60 and with the score on 126 in the 27th over we needed 66 runs of 20 overs, Brookes was out for 60 in the 28^th over and was quickly followed by Jude two overs later.

Abs was having to play with an injury sustained when keeping and needed a runner and with Ben Shepherd falling cheaply for 4 and Abs cleaned up for 9, we were unable to close on Cropredy’s total falling 38 runs short.

Cropredy Innings

 Bletchley Bowling

Bletchley Innings

Cropredy Bowling