Two comfortable victories for Bedford Cricket Club’s 1st XI’s have left them in good stead as the opening month of the new season approaches its end.
The Saturday first team sit atop of Division Four in the Northamptonshire Cricket League; getting back to winning ways after their first loss last week at Isham.
The visitors were Podington Cricket Club who could only post 198 on a good-looking Bury surface, with wickets shared between Jake Brown, Shiv Odedra and Jonny Dove.
Rohit Mehmi’s scintillating 87 was the stand out as he guided his team home with five wickets to spare, with Bedford Cricket Club now winning three of their opening four games.
Singh’s ton leaves Sunday 1st’s unbeaten
The Sunday 1st XI have had similar fortunes in Division One of the Bedfordshire County Cricket League, also winning three of their four opening games while last week’s contest against Potton succumbed to rain.
On a very flat pitch at The Bury, yesterday’s opponents, Great Brickhill reached 224-5 thanks in large to 70 from 75 balls for Rhys Nicholas.
It could have been a lot more after an opening wicket partnership of 121 left the visitors in great shape, only for Jonny Dove to come on after the drinks break and claim 5-30 to break up the innings.
The star of the show however was Maninder Singh who smashed an unbeaten 121 of his own off just 78 balls to see Bedford home with a little under ten overs to spare.
Singh serenely made his way to a half-century with ease, combining flair with the occasional brutish cut shot before letting loose after the break as the bowlers wilted.
Jonny Dove also chipped in with 51 to cap off a fine all-round performance as Bedford look for promotion to the Premier Division for the first time since re-forming in 2006.
The 2nd XI have made a stuttering start to life in Division Four, falling cheaply to Old Warden on Sunday despite gaining their first win last weekend at Queens Park Westfield.
Mark Brownridge’s 87 took Old Warden to 177-7 but Bedford were never in the chase, and fell for just 83, leaving them with one win from three with Old Warden up to fourth.
Clean sweep for juniors
The junior section have made a trademark fast start to their county divisional games with four wins from four in the past week.
The Under 15 ‘A’ side were victors against Harrold while the ‘B’ side beat Blunham by 6 wickets. Rylan Sellers claimed 2-18 in restricting Blunham to 119 with Aaryan Berry top scoring for Bedford with 31 not out.
There were also two wins for the Under 13’s, as the ‘A’ side beat Elstow by 32 runs, while the ‘B’ side squeezed past Harrold by just two runs.
The newly formed Women’s side also make their highly anticipated hard ball debut this evening (Monday) at Hitchin Cricket Club.
Their first home game is against the same opposition on 20th June at The Bury.
Tom Carr is a player and volunteer at Bedford Cricket Club
