A scintillating knock of 106 from 82 balls from Rohan Mehmi helped Bedford Cricket Club’s 1st XI take a big step towards promotion at the top of Division Two in the Bedfordshire County League.
Mehmi’s century followed a half-century from in-form opener Shiv Odedra as Bedford posted a sizable target of 297 at The Warren against Elstow.
Elstow could only muster 113 in response; Ryan Lammin – who had earlier taken 2-64 – top scoring with 22 as Bedford strolled home by 184 runs.
However, New Bradwell are hot on Bedford’s heels after dismissing Blunham for just 52 to keep the gap to just six points between the top two.
Elstow, who occupy third spot, are a full fifty points behind second place with the top two winning promotion.
The 2nd XI also reignited their promotion hopes from Division Five with a comfortable nine wicket victory against Great Brickhill’s 2nd XI at The Bury.
Henry Faulkner’s 50 broke the back of a small chase of 90, after Hafeez Rehman (4-16) and the ever-consistent Sam Till (3-16) took regular wickets to keep their opponents at bay.
The Saturday 1st XI are also hitting good form at the business end of the season, continuing their winning streak with a 31-run victory at Weekly and Warkton.
A vital half-century from number eight, Luton Stonier took Bedford up to a competitive total of 198 in Northamptonshire, before a late surge of wickets from Jonny Dove (2-14) and captain Arjun Manku helped secure an important win.
Bugbrooke remain top of Division Five in the Northamptonshire League by just two points, while Kempston Hammers sit in third, three points behind Bedford.
This was after they dispatched bottom-of-the-table Yelvertoft by 118 runs, after posting 205-4 thanks in large to Matt Plowman’s 64.
Yelvertoft, who pulled off a shock win at league leaders Bugbrooke last weekend, couldn’t repeat the feat, falling for 87 with Martin McLennan securing 3-8 for the Hammers.
Bedford’s Under-15s opened up a gap at the top of the Under 15 County North division with an 8-wicket victory at Harrold on Thursday night.
Jack Harte’s 2-2 was the stand out bowling performance in a total of 72-7 for Harrold, with James Dagg’s unbeaten 28 helping Bedford home.
The Under 13 ‘A’ side remain top of their division despite being denied victory by thunderstorms on Tuesday evening, as they couldn’t reach Queens Park’s total of 58 before the downpours.
Tom Carr is a player and volunteer at Bedford Cricket Club
