Saturday XI vs Malmesbury
Bears 127ao 31.5 overs
Malmesbury 32-0 5 overs
Torrential rain of biblical proportions came to the salvation of the Saturday XI, as the Jay Morris-led Bears escaped unscathed from their encounter with mid-table Malmesbury after posting a disappointing total of just 127.
After the overnight deluge, both sides were keen to bowl first on a pitch representing an oasis of green in the middle of a parched Glasshouse outfield.
With the visitors’ captain calling correctly, the Bears found themselves batting, but made an encouraging start with Mike Smyth and Rob Wilson putting on 69 for the first wicket before Rob was dismissed for 22. Smythy and Chris Bence then took the score to 95 before a rush of blood accounted for Bencey. From this position of strength, things quickly deteriorated for the Bears as a flurry of wickets for not many runs left the Bears reeling. The departure of Smyth for an excellent 65 signalled the beginning of the end for the home side’s innings; the last five wickets being lost for just 13 runs as the Bears capitulated to 127 all out.
After another tremendous Morris/Meredith tea, Malmesbury had set about chasing down their target with gusto, enjoying a couple of slices of good fortune in reaching 32 without loss before the downpour started. An hour and a half later, and with puddles still visible on the square, the umpires brought a conclusion to the game. And with relegation rivals Nationwide House also succumbing to the weather, in remains incredibly tight at the foot of Division1 with just two points separating the Swindon-based outfit and the Bears in the battle for survival.
COYB!
Our thanks as always to our sponsors, Chef de Party, The Devonshire Arms, RH Hayes Roofing and Josh Sutton Plumbing.
