Both Bedford and Biddenham Cricket Club lost in the Bedfordshire County Cricket League Premier Division on Sunday (7 June) as all six divisions returned to action following a rest week.
Bedford lost heavily at Southill Park, while Biddenham were unable to chase a hefty target set by reigning champions, Luton Town and Indians in the south of the county.
After two impressive victories in the first two weeks of an inaugural season in the Premier Division, Bedford Cricket Club are beginning to find out what life in the top tier is all about.
Travelling to Southill Park, the game was over halfway through the afternoon, as Southill coasted home by 10 wickets after smuggling Bedford out for just 82.
George Darlow was the stand out, securing figures of 7-32, with only three Bedford batters making it to double figures in a dismal afternoon for the Premier Division’s newest side.
Ajay Momi’s 42-ball 50 helped Southill to their simple target inside 14 overs.
Biddenham put up a far better fight at Luton Town and Indians, but still fell by 39 runs.
Batting first, Luton Town and Indians piled on an impressive total of 242/6; led by openers Fayaz Homyoon (70) and Sajjad Homyoon (41), whose first wicket partnership of 84 set them on their way to a good target.
Amarpal Singh and Jack White secured a brace of wickets apiece, and Biddenham’s chase looked well set at 163-3 with captain, Sam Kumar top scoring with 63, but they went on to lose seven wickets for just 40 runs as they fell for 203.
Bedford and Biddenham are sixth and seventh respectively, while Luton Town and Indians lead the Premier Division following five wins from five.
Around the grounds
In Division Two, Harrold suffered their second loss of the season as they fell meekly by nine runs at home to Milton Keynes Warriors.
Craig Fowler’s 6-29 looked to set Harrold up superbly for a simple chase, skittling the Warriors for just 111, but Usman Rafiq hit back with a five-wicket haul of his own to restrict Harrold to just 102 in response.
There were contrasting fortunes for the Borough’s clubs in Division Three, as Bedford’s 2nd XI lost out at home to Southill Park’s 2nd XI by two wickets, while Elstow surged home by 10 wickets at Lutonian’s 3rd XI.
Manish Kumar’s 40 helped Bedford towards a mediocre target of 167 at The Bury, but despite falling to 92-6 in response, Southill kept their cool to squeeze home by a pair of wickets thanks in large to Nagavardhan Reddy-Gade’s unbeaten 32.
Elstow’s chase was a far more comfortable affair, as Raja Shahid’s excellent unbeaten 95 from just 65 balls helped them usurp Lutonians’ target of 144.
Kempston Hammers continued their good start in Division Six, defeating Elstow’s 2nd XI by 44 runs in another low scoring game at The Warren.
Oscar Harvey and James Exley both picked up three wickets for Kempston as Elstow were skittled for just 83 in response to the Hammers’ total of 127, with Exley scoring a half century opening the batting.
Harrold’s 2nd XI top the division after a fourth win from four, defeating Olney Town 2nd XI by 16 runs.
Queen’s Park Westfield had another free week, which meant all four of their sides sat out this round of fixtures.
