Bedford Cricket Club’s Sunday 1st XI all but confirmed a play-off spot and continue to hold on to hopes of usurping Ickwell in Division One of the Bedfordshire County Cricket League after seeing off Flitwick 2nd XI at The Bury on Sunday (17 August).
Ickwell’s 67-run victory against Eggington Foresters saw them edge closer to an immediate return to the top table, but Bedford’s seven wicket triumph against Flitwick gives them every hope of joining them.
Bedford, who are currently in second, saw off Flitwick’s second team with ease, needing less than twenty overs to chase down a target of 102 to claim maximum points.
Arjun Manku (3-1) and Vedant Somal (3-11) did the majority of the damage as spin dominated on a dry pitch at The Bury with Cameron Edwards top scoring for Flitwick with 32, while Jonny Huggins’ unbeaten 58 steered Bedford home.
They require one win from their final two games to guarantee a play-off spot, but it looks too far a hurdle to jump to catch Ickwell, who 28 points ahead and have a game in hand.
Biddenham fall short
Biddenham have enjoyed periods of success in their inaugural campaign in the Premier Division, winning a total of seven games but their August form has fallen away and they have now lost three on the bounce, including against Dunstable Town on Sunday.
Biddenham could only muster 175/9 on a decent pitch at the Pavilion, aided by a late 38 from Abiraj Kunjumol, although they did put up a decent fight with ball in hand, taking six Dunstable wickets, with Jack White taking 4-27.
Their south Bedfordshire opponents never looked troubled however, and reached the target with a little under eight overs to spare.
Luton Town and Indians look to be surging towards their first title since 2014; their 63-run victory against Caldecote taking them 49 points clear with three rounds of fixtures remaining.
Queen’s Park Westfield 2nd XI’s hold on Division Two strengthened without playing a game on Sunday, as Harrold’s hopes of a promotion spot were dented by Letchworth Garden City.
Elstow are not out of the relegation fight yet as they were bundled out for just 70 by Olney Town, who went on to win by 117 runs.
Bedford and Ickwell battle it out in Division Four
There were no Bedford Borough sides in action in Division Three, although Queen’s Park Westfield are still in a relegation battle of their own, but Bedford’s 2nd XI were victors in Division Four to remain top of the league.
They beat Flitwick’s 3rd XI by three wickets, chasing down a total of 160 after captain, Rob Stanners top scored with 54 for the home side, but he was overshadowed by Bedford’s Bipin Nair, who guided his side home with an unbeaten 68.
Ickwell 2nd XI are hot on the heels of Bedford in this division, and also have a game in hand but are 21 points behind.
Already relegated, Kempston Hammers endured another tough afternoon after shipping 262 at Ampthill Town 2nd XI, while Harrold 2nd XI picked up their eighth win of the season with a four-wicket triumph against Bletchley Town in Division Six.
