Bishopsbourne

Match Report

The Straggler batting finally found some form at Bishopsbourne. In spite of the loss of the opening pair for ten, and a very tight opening spell, the middle order tucked in. Jonathan Riches with 34 and James Grant with 102 were the backbone, but the innings really caught fire with Toby Cox’s 7 sixes in a brief knock of 63. Thereafter, Graeme Knight finished off the wilting attack, and a declaration ensued at 251 for 7.

Bishopsbourne started well with the bat, but could not quite keep up with the required run rate, even with wickets remaining intact. Simon Allport bowled a long, and eventually successful spell, finishing with 4 for 42 from 14 overs, but it took the more unorthodox approach of Graeme Knight, coupled with two exceptional catches by Toby and Carl Brown, to tempt out the middle order. When the ninth wicket fell with 8 balls remaining, there was plenty of excited tension to the close, Bishopsbourne ending undefeated on 181 for 9.