After making history by progressing to the semi-finals of the Cricketer Cup for the first time ever, the Old Bedfordians suffered a disappointing defeat to a strong Eastbourne side in the semi-final which took place on Sunday 23rd July.
Having lost the toss and been asked to bowl first, the OBs made a decent enough start and Eastbourne were just 96-3 at the half way stage. Some late hitting down the order pushed them to a very good score though on a slow pitch and the home side finished 259-7 with three wickets for Ed Wharton (07-12) and two for Mark Gibbs (93-98).
With heavy rain forecast the OBs tried to push on and get ahead of the run rate and at 60-2 looked well placed. However, a flurry of wickets left them 105-7 and a long way from victory. They were eventually all out for 144 with Shiv Patel (04-15) 35 not out.
It was a disappointing end to what has been an excellent campaign for the OBs, reaching the semi-finals for the first time. Hopefully next year we can build on this and go one better!
Will Aitkenhead (04-09)
The Old Bedfordians Club would like to thank all those that played, scored, managed and supported the matches in this tournament in June and July. Thank you for giving up your time. It would have been great to have gone all the way in the Cricketer Cup’s 50th Anniversary Year, but alas despite a valiant effort by all involved it was not to be this year.
The final of the 2017 Cricketer Cup Tournament took place on Sunday 6th August with the Old Wellingtonians victorious. For all the reports and write ups from this year’s tournament, please go to http://www.thecricketercup.com/