BCC 2s vs Reading 3s

Greeted by scorching sunshine and a pitch that looked very good, it was a difficult choice when BCC won the toss - bowl first and chase as we've done successfully, or bat and post a total on a good pitch. We decided to bat and soon felt we'd made the right decision.

Another century partnership between Young and Sutton got BCC off to a great start, although both batsman profited from a couple of tough dropped catches behind the wicket. In familiar circumstances, the opening partnership was ended for 135 when Sutton was very dubiously given out LBW for 58. Young departed soon after for 54, pairing Jem Davis and Mark Dawson at the crease. The pair batted well together, before Davis was caught for 44 bringing Ryan Funnell out with a license to play his shots. He did that with great success and scored an impressive 33* in quick time to enable BCC to declare on 258-3 off 50 overs. Deano finishing on a very well made 44*.

Despite @JaneTeaLady's absence, both sides were treated to a wonderful spread from stand in caterers (skip and Bar Manager!), which can be the only reason for the Baggies solid performance in the second innings.

Derek Budd and Simon Farrant opened the bowling and Budd soon had both openers back in the Pavilion for 2 and 4 respectively. Numbers 3 and 4 looked solid at the crease on a pitch that did very little, with Budd and Farrant both toiling to break the partnership unsuccessfully. A bowling change at both ends worked very well and Josh Brown took two wickets in two balls, including the big wicket of Reading's solid number 4 for 22. Following an inspired field change, Brown then had Reading's number 3 caught at point and Bagshot were well on top at 54-5.

Adam Hendries bowled equally well at the other end, albeit with less success in the wickets column. He did pick up a very good wicket, bowling Reading's number 7 for 2, leaving their Captain and number 8 at the crease batting fairly comfortably with no intention of chasing BCC's score.

Another double bowling change brought 'spinners' Sutton and Davis on, hoping to break the deadlock of defensive shots. Sutton was the first to strike with a classic off-spinners wicket, bowling Reading's captain for 35 through the gate. That was soon followed with another wicket for Sutton, bowling their number 9, leaving Reading 125-8. Davis worked hard at the other end and soon had his first wicket, stumped by Funnell following some outrageous chat and the batsman trying to hit Davis onto the A30. Jem wrapped up the Reading innings in comedic fashion - Dawson complaining about the sun in his eyes, swapping fielding positions with Josh Brown as Davis delivers the ball, only for the batsman to pick out Josh Brown on the move for a simple catch.

Reading 133ao (3 points), BCC win by 125 runs (25 points). A surprise result between Maidenhead & Bray vs Boyne Hill puts the Baggies 11 points clear at the top of Div5b.