Park went into this game knowing they had a tuff proposition ahead against Bexley, especially with their injury problems mounting. Dave Brupbacher continued to skipper in the absence of the injured Skip Fowdy. Dave put Bexley into bat in this 40 over game with Bexley getting off to a worst possible start with Craig Partridge and Bill Partridge opening the bowling, with Craig taking a wicket early on in his first spell. Bill bowled as tight as ever (0/30), bowling his allotted 8 overs straight through but not taking any wickets. John Ling replaced Bill while Davr Partridge had already replaced Craig at the other. Both Dave and Lingo had Bexley on the rack with both keeping it very tight and taking wickets. The pair both bowled right through and had fine figures Dave (3/25) and Lingo (2/22). By now Bexley were 85/6 and Park were looking good and at this stage looked like springing a surprise. John Norton came on in difficult circumstances but took a wicket in his 4 overs (1/24). Craig came back on and replaced Johnny and Dave Robotham (coming out of semi retirement) bowled out the remaininng overs, but Park couldn't dislodge there skipper, although Dave bowled well considering he hadn't bowled for a while (1/16) off 4 overs and Craig finished his 8 overs (1/41) Bexley ended up on 161/9 and it was if not impossible a stiff task.
Dave Bru opened with Dave Fletcher and Tim Gannon, Park got off to a awful start in the first over losing two wickets, first Tim went caught behind with a rising ball hitting his glove, and then Alan Whaley making a welcomed return from injury (although he did pull a thigh muscle early doors surprise surprise!!) was out first ball for a golden which was very similar to Tims, so Jim Flood was facing a hatrick ball in the first over, put played it well . Park were now in a little trouble with only 1 run on the board and 2 wickets down. Dave Fletcher hit a fine boundary before being caught again behind from the same bowler as the other two and John Norton came and went quickly for 2. Dave Robotham was next and hit a couple of fine shots before getting one that popped from the same bowler who by now had five wickets and was on a high. Park were now 25/5 off 12 overs!! The out of form Dave Brupbacher came in at seven and put on a good partnership with Jim and started to put Park back into the game, both hitting some fine shots but unfortunately Dave got out for 10 and Jim soon followed with a fine 34. Now Park needed 90 off 12 overs which was always going to be a tuff ask. Craig came in with his Dad Bill at the other end, Bill didn't last long scoring a duck , Dave Partridge replaced him and he and Craig set about destroying the Bexley bowlers and showing the rest of the batsmen how to do it, the young lads put on 45 for the 9th wicket with Dave hitting a big six before getting out caught for 21. Lingo came in at 11 but it was a difficult task with Park needing 9 an over. Although Craig had a good go scoring a fine 42 his highest score for the club, Park couldn't reach there target with Craig getting out second from last ball and Lingo scoring 2 not out. Park had a good go at the end but a poor start, fine bowling from there opener and a bouncy wicket all culminated in loss for Park.
Craig Partridge as I said the other week won't be long before this lads scoring a fifty and is rapidly becoming a fine all rounder.