Bedford Cricket Club’s Sunday 1st XI blew an opportunity to open up a crucial gap at the top of Bedfordshire County Cricket League Division One at the weekend after falling by 44 runs at Harlington in a weekend where the rain curtailed a lot of fixtures.
With Ickwell’s encounter against struggling New Bradwell abandoned after just four overs, the chance to open up a valuable gap at the top of a tight second tier fell by the wayside for Bedford, who remain top of the division by a mere three points having played a game more.
In a rain reduced game, Harlington were bowled out for 179 with Saqib Waheed scoring a swift 63 off 37 balls despite Ryan Chambers picking up four wickets for Bedford.
Vedant Somal continued his fine form opening the batting for Bedford with 59, but received very little support as the visitors were skittled for just 135. Ampthill, who are part of a three-way title tussle, gained some ground on the top two with an eight-wicket win at Luton Town and Indians 2nd XI.
The Premier Division was also affected by rain, with Queens Park Westfield’s clash at Southill Park abandoned, but Biddenham managed to dodge the showers to beat Luton Town and Indians 1st XI.
An unbeaten 64 from Thomas Nelson helped Biddenham up to 168/7 but Amarpal Singh stole the show with 4-14 in the chase, as Luton Town and Indians collapsed from 114/3 to 140 all out to set up another Biddenham win. They rise to third.
Rain dominates lower leagues
The only game to be completed in Division Two was a swift one as Elstow made light work of Preston; chasing 104 in a little over ten overs.
Vikram Masih and Faheem Mahmood took a brace of wickets apiece in another rain-shortened game, in which Preston could only reach 104 from their 27 overs, with Raja Shahid looking as if he was batting on a different pitch in blazing an unbeaten 62 off 38 to lift Elstow further from the relegation zone.
Queens Park Westfield 2nd XI’s game against Lutonian was abandoned, as was the 3rd XI’s game in Division Three, which was also obliterated by the weather, as Langford were the only victors in the league.
Division Four the only division to experience a complete wash out.
Kempston Hammers’ clash against Hexton was also a non-starter in Division Five, but there were wins for Queens Park Westfield’s 4th XI and Harrold 2nd XI in Division Six.
Queens Park beat Blunham by 56 runs; Shafi Ahmed top scoring with 42 in a total of 174/7, while also taking 3-16 with ball in hand as Blunham were dismissed for 118.
Harrold’s 2nd XI’s game against Olney Town 2nd XI became a T20, as Harrold won by 13 runs thanks in large to 43 off 27 balls from Daniel Mackay as they leapfrogged their opponents into third.
