Little Bardfield Village CC vs. Lakenheath CC
LBVCC vs. Lakenheath
Date: 31st August 2024
Venue: Lakenheath
Toss: Little Bardfield won the toss and chose to bowl
After a rain enforced week off the Oxslips made their longest away journey of the season to Lakenheath. They arrived to find a thrilling penalty shootout being battled out on the outfield by the local semi-professional side and barely an oppo cricket player in sight. But slowly Lakenheath players started pitching up alongside the travel weary Bardfield side.
Little Bardfield skipper Rory "Rosco" Hitchcock won the toss and had decided he fancied a run chase today so the visitors suited up for a slightly overcast afternoons fielding. Oakley Colby (111) and Craig Thaxton (10) opened for Lakenheath with the latter being dismissed early by Captain Hitchcock from a plum LBW. This bought the opposing Skipper Shane Leech (25) to the crease, he too fell to an LBW this time from Vice Captain Will Slemmings.
A couple of ducks followed for Lakenheath, Frank Gammon and Liam Flack being bowled by Bardfield debutant Mohammed Waqar Ghairat and Will respectively. Daryl Hymas got involved in the action, sending Paul Pallant (11) back to the changing room. Whilst all this had been going on Colby had carried on to get his 100 before falling to to the pace of Jahan Zadram who also took Keith Starr (1) and Phil Strong (0) both of whom struggled to deal with the lightning pace of the Bardfield speed demon. Rosco picked up the wicket of Ross Dupe (0) for another LBW leaving Rhys Horrex 7* and Lakenheath finishing 232 all out.
Rosco (17) and Daryl marched out ready to bag Bardfield a big 20 points and after a promising start the Skipper was bowled by Keith Starr. Callum Hymas came and joined his father but both were hampered by Lakenheaths bowling and a well set field. The Bardfield run rate slowed considerably as a result, Callum (42) was caught by Shane Leech trying to hit a. boundary. Jahan (0) then came out to the middle, his time in the middle was temporary as he was stumped in a confusing episode reminiscent of Jonny Bairstow/Alex Carey at the 2023 Ashes.
Daryl (58) then fell, being bowled by Paul Pallant. Leaving Sam Register and Joe Owen (1) in the middle, Joe was also bowled by Pallant. Bardfield's run rate was climbing, Will (8) went out knowing he needed to work hard with Sam to help secure a win. Sadly Will was bowled by Liam Flack, bringing Jack Davies out to the middle to try and lead Bardfield to a big 20 points.
Alas it was not to be with Sam finishing 42*, Jack 18* and Bardfield 19 runs shy of the win. Whilst the game was lost, the boys did pick up 10 points which is enough to secure LBVCC's Div 3 status for 2025!
Bardfield welcome Elmstead CC this weekend for our final home game.