Water off a Ducks Back

Only due to an incredible amount of work done by the home players and ground staff was this match able to take place. While the rest of the country was using its cricket pitches as olympic size swimming pools, the players on both sides (who use adjacent Winter nets) couldn't really believe that they were to take part in the real thing!

With Craig Partridge bowling the home no. 2, Rav Patel with the score on 21 in the 7th over, Park were looking to make futher inroads but steady batting by opener Shepherd and Bell took the score to 85 before the latter was bowled by Bill 'Daddy' Partridge. Shepherd then began to play confident shots before being bowled by Al Russell for a useful 69 at 116 for 3. Earlier Paul Moss had bowled a good spell for 32 off 8 overs but without success. Paul Thompson then had no. 4 Eman caught by keeper Dave Brupacher for a well struck 33. Late arrival Chris O'Mahoney then bowled Raji Patel on the same score. A late flurry took the score to 186 before the returning Craig Partridge had Burnham caught by that man Brupacher again with Bexleyheath declaring for tea at 186-6.

Park started badly losing Dave Fletcher LBW for 4, and both Kenny Robotham and Sean Pritchard being bowled by balls keeping low from the nippy Ketton. Ducks for both and Park 16 for 3. Chris O'Mahoney played a number of strong off-side shots before losing Skip Fowdy who was bowled by Ketton for 1, Park on 34 for 4. A misunderstanding between Dave Brupacher and Chris lead to Bru's run out for 0 with the score now 35 for 5. With the euphoria of winning the indoor league without losing a game fast dissipating, Chris was bowled by Lock for 25 at 40 for 6. Paul thompson batting at 7 decided to 'have a go' playing some impressive shots before losing his partner Craig, bowled by Lock for 7, at 52 for 7. With Alan Russell taking care at one end Paul finally succumbed to an LBW decision for a well played 33. Park art 80 for 8. After a further single by Al, Bill Partridge and Paul Moss both went to 'goldens' with Bill being bowled by Bell and Moss caught. Parks final score of 81 all out and thereby losing by 104 runs, was a disappointing start to the season although Bexleyheath bowlers used their home pitch well in the conditions. At the time, nobody realised that the next match to be played would be in a further 3 weeks time! With 5 ducks in the innings, Park were obviously taking the weather conditions to heart!

Paul thompson for his 33 runs and 1 wicket.