Poor batting a Common theme as Mote stall

After winning the toss, skipper Alex Fordham unsurprisingly asked the hosts to bat first. A frenzied start with the new ball saw Bromley Common race to 66 without loss at around a run a ball but newly rejuvenated all-rounder Matthew White (3-40) struck twice in as many overs to dismiss openers Patrick Underwood and crucially the wicket of opener Leigh Walker who had raced to a fluent 44 or 43 balls.

The introduction of spinners Will Thirkell (2-29) and veteran James Hodgson (4-32) saw regular Bromley Common dismissals with only a watchful Jay Mannall (34) and James Cramp (20) gaining any kind of fluency as The Common stuttered to a below par 196 all out.

Both Thirkell and Hodgson bowled impressively which was backed up by a competent fielding performance and the Mote were entitled to feel pleased with their performance going into the break.

The Mote reply began positively as openers Hodgson and White steadily accumulated but a dubious LBW decision to account for Hodgson was the catalyst for a poor day for Mote batters.

Apart from White (41), the Mote top order failed to fire and a number of poor dismissals led to the innings never really getting going. A brief cameo from Josh Sheriston (18) was the one bright spark in an otherwise drab run chase which eventually saw The Mote dismissed for 144. Although there were a number of soft dismissals, the Common should be commended for a professional defence of a mediocre total with spinner Freddie Foster returning impressive figures of 3-17 and a brisk Sam Stuart (2-38) who will be a handful for batters throughout the Kent League if finding some consistency.

There were a number of positives to take from the game but more application with the bat is needed when promotion hopefuls Canterbury visit Willow Way for the first team’s first home game of the season. The Motesters can however be buoyed by the return of Tom Henson and Chris Back to their middle order this coming Saturday.