Both Bedford Cricket Club Saturday and Sunday 1st XI’s won in comfortable fashion in the weekend sunshine to continue their strong start to the 2021 season.
The Saturday 1st XI travelled to top-of-the-table Cogenhoe on Saturday afternoon looking to build on consecutive victories in Division Five of the Northamptonshire County Cricket League.
Bowling first on a rarely seen synthetic wicket, Bedford bowled their opponents out for just 110; Shiv Odedra kicking off what was to be a stellar weekend with career-best figures of 4-27.
There were also two wickets apiece for Jake Brown, Connor Andrews and Arjun Manku (2-0) in what was a comprehensive bowling display.
The chase began at a cracking pace, with openers Thomas Kelk and Ramkumar Jayaraman reaching a 50 partnership but a flurry of wickets left Bedford 5 down by the time they reached their target.
The Saturday 1st XI now sit second in their division, with just six points separating the top five teams in a tightly congested league table.
The Sunday 1st XI were also comprehensive victors against Dunstable Town 2nd XI and sit atop of Division Two of the Bedfordshire County Cricket League.
Odedra (3-18) accounted for Dunstable’s top three as the home side took control and despite Terry Stevens’ 63 for the visitors, Dunstable were restricted to 155-8.
Bedford chased down that total inside 23 overs – with just two wickets down – but it was not all plain-sailing as the Dunstable attack were unlucky not to take early scalps in a probing opening spell.
Dominic Mawdsley finished unbeaten on 84, with his fellow opening partner Jonny Dove (45) breaking the back of the chase and setting Bedford on their way to another victory.
The Sunday 2nd XI also faced up against Dunstable, as they faced Dunstable 3rd XI at Lancot Park, falling by three wickets despite half centuries for Charlie Blythman and Henry Faulkner.
The youngsters were also in action, with the Under-15s beating Olney Town by 6 wickets.
Olney reached 113-6 off their 20 overs, with Ananya Vaidya the stand out bowler with 3-5, while Edward Dagg and Thomas Kennedy were also in the wickets.
Vaidya and Dagg were also the top scorers, both scoring 30, as Bedford chased the total down with 18 balls to spare.
There was also a victory for the U13 ‘A’ side against Queens Park on Tuesday evening, bowling out their opposition for 66 in a 72-run victory, while the ‘B’ side lost at Harrold.
Tom Carr is a player and volunteer for Bedford Cricket Club.
