1st XI vs Bessborough
Saturday, 12th July 2003 - League
Bessborough CC, bottom of the third division, were thrown a lifeline on Saturday by a below par performance from North London. It was Norths second successive defeat and their day was made worse with the news that Harrow Town had managed a four-point draw at Shepherds Bush to squeeze above the CrouchEnders into the second promotion place. Two excellent individual performances from Tom Wakeford and Alistair Hart were not enough to save Norths, who go into this week's match against Barnet looking for a swift return to winning ways.
The Bessborough wicket was dangerous throughout the day, and Wakeford exploited the uneven bounce with two spells of impressive accuracy in the sapping heat. His 5-48 followed last weeks 8-90 and takes the young all-rounder to an outstanding mid season haul of 32 wickets. Thanks to Wakeford's early hostility Bessborough were quickly reduced to 60-5 but Norths could not afford to be complacent since any total over 100 was likely to be tricky on such an unreliable surface. That Bessborough recovered to post 211 was down to a disappointing collective effort from the fielding side, though credit should be given to the Bessborough lower order for playing so positively in a crisis.
Norths reply was riddled with bad luck as the surface continued to reduce batting to a lottery. Resolving to bat positively and throw the bat at anything loose, Norths lost three quick wickets but were beginning to build a recovery when the pitch intervened again. Mark Askew, looking good on 20, received a wicked delivery that reared at his head from a full length, while Pat Mills was struck on the forehead first ball. Tom Wakeford too was dismissed off the shoulder of the bat from another steepler. Captain Alistair Hart, in company with Jim Green, staged the beginnings of a recovery as Norths clawed their way back from 60-6. Hart played a courageous innings, decorated with a succession of cover drives, to top score with 45. Norths could and probably should have abandoned the chase as the required rate climbed to 10 an over, but continued to hunt for at least the four points. Bowled out for 170 they were left to rue that hour in the field where Bessborough slipped away.
Man of the Match: Alistair Hart - runs worth more than wickets on such a poor pitch
Carrying the Kit: Jack Godfrey-Wood - a day to forget
Report by: I Johns