Sunday 1st XI Vs Biggleswade

Top of the table Eversholt named potentially their strongest side of the season this week with full availability plus the return of Alex Rennie. Despite yesterday’s rain washing out the Saturday league match, the pitch looked good and the outfield had dried out pretty well. Buzz lost the toss for a second week running, and again we were asked to bat first.

Buzz and Rowan opened the batting in extremely tricky conditions, with the ball moving unpredictably sideways and up-and-down. They batted for 8 overs, adding 18 before Rowan was bowled by a ball that started a long way wide of his off stump and came back to hit it. Josh joined Buzz, but not long after Buzz was caught at mid-off and after 10 overs Eversholt were 21-2.

Josh and Jake managed to see off the opening bowlers, both of whom exploited the conditions and bowled well, before upping the ante against the first and second change bowlers. They were both particularly punishing when they dropped short, both hitting numerous 6s over the shorter boundary. Jake was eventually out LBW to Jimmy Hart for a 38-ball 42, and Hass joined Josh with the score on 108. Both Hass and Josh continued to score freely, adding 49 for the 4th wicket in just over 6 overs, Josh going to a run-a-ball 50 in the process. Hass was out for 22 with the score on 157, bringing Jack in.

Jack played as Jack does, with some expansive shots and massive hits, hitting a quickfire 37 and adding 84 from 8 overs with Josh who was scoring equally freely. Into the last few overs and after Jack was out, Oli came in and almost immediately was involved in a mix up with Josh who was unfortunately runout for a well-made 97. Some extraordinary shots from Ross in the last 2 overs meant that Eversholt finished on 276-8, adding a remarkable 255-6 in 30 overs after the first powerplay.

Alex Rennie and Ricky opened the bowling, and immediately Rick was at the double, bowling opener Rendall and having fellow opener Wright caught in the slips in his first over. Rennie was nearly impossible to get away, and Rick continued to keep it tight. When Rennie had number 4 Hart LBW for 6, and Rick picked up his 3rd wicket in the next over, the game was virtually over as a contest, as Biggleswade slid to 18-4 in 10 overs.

Dagless, batting at 5, offered some resistance, and put on a stand of 28 with number 6 Boyd, before 3 quick wickets, 2 to Hass and 1 to Niaz, just before drinks put the seal on it. Biggleswade 48-7 at the break. Ross came on and bowled his unorthodox spinners to good effect, picking up 2 late order wickets, and Hass added one more to his tally to finish with figures of 7-2-3-11 as Biggleswade were bowled out for 71.

Man of the match goes to Josh for his 97, with an honourable mention to Hass’ all round contribution of a quick-fire 22 and 3-11. A big win by 205 runs leaves Eversholt nearly 20 points clear at the top and with a very healthy net run rate of 2.03.