BPCC v Midlands Cricket Conference Sponsored by Stuart Canvas

TOUR INTRO

Beefy and co had to use all their maths skills with too many imponderables entering the equation which read x = (5x50) -:- (16-3). Or in written form supplying a full BP squad in 2014 had proved a near impossibility!!

There were 4 new caps in the final 14, (soon to be 13!) that assembled at Derby on the traditional Sunday team meet night. Will Evans (North Wales) No. 172 a wicket keeper batsmen, Richard Jackson (Leicestershire) No. 173 an off spinning all-rounder. Then the ‘seam twins’ Graeme Moore (PS Northern Ireland) and Andy Sidgreaves (Lancashire) No’s 174 & 175! What became apparent almost immediately was the spirit and camaraderie in what would be a small close knit unit for the week, to be captained for the first time by Russell Bryan (Met) with Ryan Watkins (Gwent) as his deputy.

BPCC v MIDLANDS CCC

All the new caps were included with Russ Bryan winning the toss and putting the hosts in to bat. Graeme Moore and Russ Bryan opened up and both were doing a bit with good line and length before the skipper swung one through Middleton’s defence 4-1. The other opener Jones was put down on 2 in the slips off Bryan before he had Wright (0) lbw 8-2. Andy Sidgreaves joined the attack and settled into a fluid rhythm and immediately had Williams put down at mid-wicket. After a stand of 62 Sidgreaves became the first debutant to make his mark, trapping Jones (25) lbw 70-3. That was as good as it got for the home side. Richard Jackson became the 6th to enter the attack and in his first over he got Williams (38) missing a sweep to upset the furniture 88-4! Khalid (15) was next man out caught by Greg Gillespie diving forward at short cover off Mick Martin 110-5. Captain Chishti (6) was cleaned up by Jackson 137-6, with Jackman (5) following on 151, stumped by Will Evans after leaving his crease in an attempt to put Jackson over the top. Top scorer Markham (41) who had strived to hold things together showed his frustration by hitting a return catch to Mick Martin 151-8. Mick Martin then saw off the tail Windler (4) caught by Gillespie and finally Jeavons (1) held by Bryan. Final score 162 all out.

In reply BP reached 32 after 6 overs with no cause for concern, with Greg Gillespie timing a sweet drive for 4 through extra cover and Will Evans putting Markham over mid-wicket for 6. They then both fell to the persevering opening attack with Evans (16) caught by a diving slip catch and Gillespie (11) lbw.

This left Ryan Watkins and Mick Martin to repair the damage, which they did accumulating 49. Martin picked up a 4 past fine leg with a flick off his toes, with Watkins pulling one between mid-on and mid-wicket. Watkins then had a delivery ‘stop’ on him and the ball spooned up to be taken at point. His 28 runs were made up almost entirely of boundaries, with 5x4’s and a 6, in 40 minutes from 29 balls!

Mick Martin continued a trademark patient innings (32 not out) with his nose over the ball, picking off 6x4’s along the way. His partner in a match winning unbroken 4th wicket stand of 84 runs was Ray Doyle who wasted no time in posting the 1st BP 50 of the week with 56 not out from 54 balls in 67 minutes. His total was a punishing boundary led assault containing 4x4’s and 5x6’s, one clearing the score-box.

As an aside Ray was now on 964 BP runs, within touching distance of entering the 7 man ‘1000 run club’!

A good BP performance on a pitch that helped the bowlers with the new boys all contributing.

It was wonderful to see John Giffard a former BP Chairman and Chief Constable of Staffordshire in good form and enjoying the match.

He kindly presented the ‘Man of the Match’ award on behalf of the Sponsors Stuart Canvas to BP’s Mick Martin following his 4-27 with the ball and 32 not out with the bat.