Return of the Biffer

Bedminster 3rd XI got back to winning ways beating Patchway by 6 wickets on a warm sunny day at the clanage.

Match Report by Andy Sheldrake.

So on what was a must win game for Bedminster 3’s, it started in dismal fashion with Harry Pleass forgetting to use gravy granules when going to the toilet and having to cry off. After a few phone calls Aiden Jones was called up to play. With that Long Jon Silvers also cried off due to woodworm, and it was the return of Biffer.

Shellers took on captaincy and in the blistering heat lost the toss and the 3s were put into the field.

Shellers and Bailey opened up and were tight as ever restricting Patchway Shellers finally gets a breakthrough bowling Williams for14, now 36-1.

Brainer replaces Bailey and continues bowling just short of a length and claims a wicket in his 5th over with Lewis Shean taking a great catch despits Biffer shouting ‘Right hand rule Lewis’ and a breakthrough we needed, 76-2.

Filer who is in great nick at present claims another wicket and Brainer also getting another with Cunliffe (Ben that is), taking a fine catch (can’t believe I am actually writing that), Patchway struggling in the heat 87-4.

Quick wickets tumble with Jack (I am not available next week as I have my girlfriends party) Filer and Shaz Butt with Bailey and Hedges taking decent catches now 103- 7. With Bedminster thinking we can get out of the heat very soon, Patchway fight back with some lusty blows from Karmarkar and Gosling the score races to 141 before Butt breaks through.

Butt snares Hull for a duck and its 142-9. With Aidan Jones coming on to bowl the final over of the innings and claims a caught and bowled first ball and Patchway all out for 169.

A great effort from everyone, despite 3-4 dropped catches and a cracking atmosphere in the field.

So we start our chase with Aidan and Ben in the hope we don’t have another batting display like last week, BUT is it De Ja Vu as Cunliffe middles one behind 3-1, the Aiden misses a straight one and now 8-2. With nerves jangling Hedges comes in and smashes the ball to all parts, finally hits a straight one and with him still posing from the shot, the fielder sticks out a hand disaster as he juggles it and it sticks, Hedges gone 38-3.

With Kruz looking comfortable at the other end, the stage is set for the return of the now Chairman ‘Biffer’. He looks established in trying to locate the ball but with some wayward bowling, he finally gets in nick. Kruz bats superbly for a well-deserved 50, and Biffer after smashing one through the covers for 4 is looking in dominant form. With a great partnership between the pair it appears that the game has been taken away from Patchway, but again a wicket falls and Kruz this time going for one to many pull shots and is caught for a great 52. A match winning partnership of 82.

Lewis Shean comes in and supports Biffer well, Biffer smashes a couple sixes and goes to his 50, and Lewis hits a couple 4’s and the game is won with Biffer not out on 58 and Lewis 14 no.

Special thanks goes to Rich (Two Toned Forehead) Filer for scoring and Ben for getting the pitch ready. But a great all round performance with a deserved victory.

See the match scorecard on play cricket.