On a lovely sunny afternoon at Cross Hill Park, Bare lost the toss against a strong Kirby Lonsdale team and were asked to bowl. Superb opening spells from Albon (1-16) and Oz saw slump to 22-3 off 12 overs. S.Desai was dropped early and was assisted in the fightback by S.Williams (13) then by M.Beaumont (10) but removed again by Oz (4-33). First change bowlers Cook (1-41) and Bhardwaj (2-51) looked at keeping it tight and at 89-6 off 30 overs the game seemed in the balance. Again Desai was put down twice on his way to a half-century. L.Watson (23) helped steady the ship and Kirkby went on the attack seeing the fielding woes of Bare. Some loose bowling and great stroke play from the Kirkby batters saw the 50 partnership between the batters but them B.Smith (1-38) struck when asked to tighten up one end. Desai was then dropped twice more but then made Bare pay as he accelerated to a 100 eventually getting out stumped with some neat work by Nev. 52 runs been scored by Kirkby in the last 6 overs had seemingly put the dampeners on the Bare team.
A great Aussie inspired tea (thanks Mrs Schad!!!) didn't have the desired effect as the Kirkby opening bowlers set the standard to tight bowling from D.Troughton (only going for 18 off his 12 overs) and L.Watson (1-25) who removed the Bare captain early. T.Schad (17) and J.Eddon (15) both got starts but was removed by good catches off first change bowler Metcalfe's bowling. The spin king looped and varied his pace well to have 2 more victims stumped with some great work behind the stumps from R.Beaumont. Kirkby taking there chances, B.Smith (25) was again stumped as his resilience was broken as Metcalfe finished his 12 overs with 5 for 19 (great spell). Bare were at the same score as Kirkby after 30 overs on 89-6. But with accuracy and excellent fielding the target seemed more out of sight when Desai (2-8) and M.Beaumont (1-10) came on as second change bowlers and ripped through the lower order. Needing 2 wickets to win in the last over Oz (28) fell on the second ball, but the last man Chef dotted the last 4 balls down for a losing draw to Bare (well he nearly did try and play on last ball for a bit of excitement!). At home to first division Milnthorpe in the cup tomorrow and a chance to tighten the fielding and catching. A special mention to Adam Dyson who took a WCL record today taking 10-9 for BLS vs Sedgewick, top effort sir :-)