BAR TAKE THE SPOILS ON DERBY DAY

A magnificent unbeaten 91 from Potters Bar's Pat Scott was the difference between two decent teams in a fantastic game of cricket as Bar sneaked their first win of the season.

Skipper Steve Gale won the toss and opted to bowl first on a pitch that did a bit pretty much all day. The home team were deprived of two of their top three batters lost makeshift opener Dan Millard as he was leg before to James Scott for just 6.

At the other end, Hamza Ahmed took the attack to Bar as he struck three fours and a six as they looked in little problem. That was until Teddy Duke had Kent professional Imran Qayyum caught by Pat Scott at extra cover for just 1 and when Hamza Ahmed (30) snicked behind and was well taken by Ashane Wijesuriya. Teddy Duke (3/43) completed his best bowling analysis in a PB shirt as Andy Lewis edged behind only for Ashane Wijesuriya to juggle it and Rishi Patel held the catch at second slip.

Jigar Mehta bowled Richard Soulsby for 5 and Thilan Walallawita enticed Steve Snell to come down the wicket only to to be beaten in the flight and was bowled for 22 and at 75 for 6 Bar were in a wonderful position. That score was to get better as Jhala was caught at slip by Rishi Patel off the bowling of Thilan Walallawita and then Richard Oxley was run out by Jigar Mehta when it looked a daft call even at the outset. When Prith Sarvaiya was stumped off the bowling of Luke Chapman the hosts were dead and buried at 87 for 9.

To their credit, there was then an amazing 75 run last wicket partnership between Rhys Wynne (30*) and debutant Jose Gonzalez Martinez (35) who batted sensibly and they got the hosts upto 162 thus something to bowl at and keep Bar honest.

Gonzalez Martinez didn't match his batting with his bowling, as his 3 overs went for 28 as Bar got off to a flier. Pat Scott and Steve Gale were shaking hands on putting on 50 in just 44 balls but Bar were to lose the latter as he was nicely taken at slip of Rhys Wynne for 15 and James Scott was stumped off the same man as keep Richard Soulsby completed some fine work.

Bar's pro Rishi Patel came in and struck three fours on a painfully slow outfield as the target was now just 64 as Bar were speeding to an important win. However he skied one to square leg for 26 but Pat Scott still powered on, completing his 14th fifty in 59 Bar appearances.

Bar suffered a real wobble and lost their middle order as the score went from 99 for 2 to 119 for 6 as Bar were still 44 needed to win. Pat Scott was almost batting in a bubble of concentration as he made batting look easy when all and sundry struggled throughout the day. He and Luke Chapman put on a vital 30 but the latter went for 14 as he was taken at backward point.

Bar still needed 14 but Pat Scott was to be the hero as he ended his 128 ball vigil unbeaten on 91 (9x4s) as Bar snuck over the line to get their season off and running.

Next week sees Totteridge Millhillians come to Potters Bar.