An unbeaten century from Biddenham opening batter, Jack Bates helped his side to a resounding 113-run victory against Lutonian in the Premier Division of the Bedfordshire County Cricket League to stay in touch with league leaders, Luton Town and Indians.
The top tier’s newest sides have historically struggled after promotion from Division One, but Biddenham have bucked the trend this season with seven league wins from 11 games; leaving them in second place heading into the final full month of the campaign.
Batting first, the home side piled on the runs to post 282/7, spearheaded by opening batter, Bates who hit a composed unbeaten 114-ball 126 to lead his side to a mammoth target, ably supported by Amarpal Singh who struck a late 50.
Chasing over seven runs an over from the start, the challenge was on for Lutonian but while many batters got starts, they lost wickets at regular intervals, with Sam Richardson’s 4-40 leading the way for Biddenham with ball in hand.
Lutonian were eventually bowled out for 169 as they fall further behind the pace in fourth, but Biddenham are now just 34 points off the long time leaders, Luton Town and Indians after their 61-run victory at Biggleswade.
Queen’s Park Westfield are still hovering in mid table after a narrow two-wicket loss at Caldecote; a late burst of 3-19 for Mohammad Ali not enough to stop bottom side, Caldecote increase their own chances of staying up.
Bedford tie thriller
While Luton Town and Indians’ 1st XI lead the top tier, their 2nd XI find themselves bottom of Division One, as Bedford CC turned up in the south of the county as favourites and looking to bounce back from defeat last weekend.
What transpired was a tied game as both sides posted 155 in a game that Bedford ultimately threw away at the death after dominating the majority of the game.
Luton batted first, and usual suspect Jonny Dove got to work with his leg spin, picking up 4-45 while captain, Rohit Mehmi’s off spin picked up three wickets. Tegbir Singh’s 40 top scored for Luton in their total of 155.
Bedford fell to 58/4 in response, but Mehmi’s 67 steadied the ship and looked to be steering his side to a comfortable victory, but his wicket led to another collapse, as a tenth wicket run out added to the pain with both sides take home 17 points from a tie.
Ickwell extended their lead at the top of Division One to 24 points after thrashing Flitwick’s 2nd XI.
Westfield win derby
Queen’s Park Westfield’s 2nd XI were also in the runs in Division Two; posting 243 in a local derby against Elstow, eventually winning by a comfortable 105-run margin.
Muhammad Shoaib Yaqub’s 92 led the way; his highest ever personal score, alongside 63 for Mustafa Mughal and despite 4-26 for Elstow’s opening bowler, Vikram Masih, his side were never close to chasing the total, falling for 138 with Gurraj Galsin top scoring with 68.
Harrold are just about in touch with the top two in Division Two after a narrow three-wicket win at Eversholt, but will need results to go their way in August if they are to challenge for promotion.
Queen’s Park Westfield’s 3rd XI fell comfortably to Milton Keynes Warriors at Allen Park in Division Three, while Bedford’s 2nd XI were equally comfortable losers at home to Old Warden in Division Four after posting just 77.
Ash Chindarkar posted figures of 4-15 for Warden, as Bedford drop to third and leave Ickwell at the top of the league.
Queen’s Park Westfield’s 4th XI were also up against Elstow opposition, and followed their 2nd XI with a comfortable victory in Division Six, as Subhan Hussain took 4-27 in skittling Elstow for just 83; a target Queen’s Park chased down with ease.
