Buckinghamshire U11 Cup - First Round

After much provaricating over fixture dates, Beaconsfield eventually played their first round game in the Bucks Cup at Winchmore Hill - division 2 runners up last season - following the game's original postponement.

A sun-dappled evening at the picturesque Horsemoor Lane ground produced lovely conditions for the spectators, but two weeks of heavy rain had ensured a pudding of a batting track that looked to favour the bowlers.

BCC chose to bat, and what followed was a masterclass in run accumulation on a difficult pitch by the top order. James Marsh (30, retired, including 3 fours and a monstrous straight six), Rahul Randev (19) and Toby Slater (24) kept the scoreboard ticking at over 7 runs per over for the first 14 overs, despite a slow, low pitch which required significant concentration to keep the ball on the floor.

The middle order of Pym, Barnes, Ing and Roy then nudged the score to a credible 122-4 at the close of the 20 over innings. A commanding total on a very tough batting surface.

In response, Randev set the tone with two maidens, but in truth the Beaconsfield team then fell below their usual high standards with the ball in hand. Three catches were dropped and the 10 bowlers used delivered a remarkable 18 wides and 5 no balls - the only bowlers not pulled up by the umpires being the 3 main runscorers. Olly Ward bagged two wickets on his debut as the Winchmore Hill innings petered out to 59-6 from their 20 overs.

The winning margin of 63 runs was a fair reflection of the game, and much stiffer challenge lies ahead in the next round in the form of Gerrards Cross.

TEAM : Barnes, Dhillon, Ing, Marsh, Pym, Randev, Rees, Roy, Slater, Ul-Ghani, Ward

Match report by Jim Slater