Victory for Bedfordshire U14s and U11s cricketers

Bedfordshire U14s put in a very promising performance to defeat Herefordshire by 41 runs at Blunham as they claimed victory in their first ECB County Cup match of the season.

Beds veteran and coach Will Sneath said: “It was a deserved result for an excellent all round team performance.”

Winning the toss, skipper Ben Slawinski had no hesitation in choosing to bat first in helpful batting conditions and a pitch that looked full of runs.

Despite an early loss, Adit Shah and Slawinski rebuilt against some excellent bowling. After Slawinski’s departure Shah continued to play freely with shots all round the wicket with useful support from Todd Pitkin and then Harry Fallows.

Shah was finally out for 74, including 11 boundaries, with the total on 134-4. Fallows (36) and Adil Ali then added a crucial 50-run partnership as Beds finished on 205-7 from their 45 overs.

In reply Beds opening bowlers Kamran Bahra and Ali each bowled an excellent line and length dismissing both opening batsman early.

With Herefordshire batsman Morgan and Hiram starting to rebuild Beds continued to apply the pressure as the required run rate began to mount.

Kieran Smith and Nathan Page were unlucky as a number of edges avoided the fielders, although Beds were always sharp in the field with Ben Bradley in particular putting hus body on the line and preventing what looked like certain boundaries.

Beds turned to spin in the shape of Slawinski and debutant Nick Walker and, with the partnership beginning to cause some concern, Hiram was excellently stumped by Ben Smith off Slawinski.

The dangerous Morgan followed soon after - a superb catch from Slawinski off Walker for a well crafted 70.

With the middle order exposed opener Bahra (5-16) returned with a lethal spell taking a further four wickets with some accurate pace bowling.

Ali (3-14) chipped in to finish matters off as Herefordshire ended 41 runs short of their target.

Beds: Ben Slawinski (C, Ampthill); Adit Shah, (Lutin Town & Indians), Scott Humphries (Harrold), Todd Pitkin (Flitwick CC), Harry Fallows (Ickwell), Ben Smith (Leighton Buzzard), Adil Ali (BMS), Nathan Page (Hithin), Kamran Bahra (Ampthill), Kieran Smith (Ampthill), Ben Bradley (Ampthill); Nick Walker (BMS).

After a successful first outing the Bedfordshire U11 county team kept up their fine form with a friendly 80-run win against Huntingdonshire at St Ivo, St Ives, last Tuesday.

Having won the toss Beds captain Rahul Sheemar had no choice but to bat on such a glorious day and his decision was immediately justified as he made 30 and Fayaz Ahmed 26 to give Beds a good start.

However, the middle order were unable to capitalise with only Robert Bassin reaching double figures as Bedford wobbles.

Alex Rennie and Arthav Patil came together to steady things and help Bedfordshire to post a respectable score of 143 from 35 overs in the 40-over-a-side game. Hunts spinner Vishal Poppat was the standout bowler with 3-27.

Hunts began their reply steadily before Beds’ bowlers found their rhythm.

The first wicket fell courtesy of a stunning diving catch by Sam King before Cameron Monteith’s superb direct hit removed another Hunts batsman.

Arthav Patil’s swing bowling (3-7) and Sam Willis’ spin (5-11) then got in on the action and swung the match in Beds’ favour

Wicketkeeper Thomas Blythman produced an excellent stumping for one of man of the match Wills’ wickets

The Hunts wickets continued to tumble as they were all out in the 17th over for 63.

Beds: Fayaz Ahmed (Luton and Indians), Rahul Sheemar capt (Bedford), Thomas Blythman (Bedford), Robert Bassin (Bedford), Ben Turley (Leighton Buzzard), Sam Willis (Potton), Cameron Monteith (Bedford), Alex Rennie (Ampthill), Arthav Patil (Bedford), Sam King (Bedford ), Amaan Mehmood (Queens Park).