Weightman back for Bedfordshire
b12-605 Cricket Flitwick Vale (fielding) v Luton Town & Indians (batting) Flitwick bowler: Steve Davies Luton batsmen: Musfique Ahmed (bright red hat) and Prayeg Katechia (more faded maroon hat)
MINOR COUNTIES CHAMPIONSHIP: After a four-week break since the one-dayers, Bedfordshire finally open their Minor Counties Championship programme this coming weekend when they take on Hertfordshire at Bishop’s Stortford in a three-day game starting on Sunday (June 10).
Hopefully four weeks off from county cricket will have provided the opportunity for the players to find some sort of form in club cricket after their disappointing performances in the one-day competition.
The selectors are sticking by their policy of encouraging young players and the average age of the side chosen to face Hertfordshire is 22.
It looks a well balanced team too with Martin Weightman, who was not available for the MCCA Trophy games, filling the all-rounder’s spot.
He will probably bat at number seven and form a three-man pace attack with Colin Griggs and Andy McGarry.
Bedfordshire also have plenty of options in the spin department with left-armer Andy Reynoldson backed up by Ampthill Town off-spinner Chris Esh and Dan Bendon (leg-spin).
It was the batting though which let Bedfordshire down in the matches against Cornwall, Devon and Oxfordshire with only Reynoldson looking in any sort of nick, although skipper Oliver Clayson might have been on the verge of a big innings when he had to retire hurt after being hit in the eye against Cornwall.
Southill’s James Kettleborough, last season’s leading run-scorer who is now with Middlesex, is available and will open the batting with vice-captain Steve Stubbings.
Bedfordshire’s selected side is Oliver Clayson, Steve Stubbings, James Kettleborough, George Thurstance, Andy Reynoldson, Dan Bendon, Martin Weightman, George Arblaster, Chris Esh, Colin Griggs and Andy McGarry.
SARACENS HERTS COUNTY LEAGUE: Ampthill Town hosted Radlett IIs in the Herts County League’s Division One on Saturday.
Having won the toss, the Amps elected to take to the field and it looked to have been the right decision as the visitors were dismissed for 143 off 46.5 overs with Radlett’s opener Gwilyn Jones and middle order batsman Andy McTaggart each making 36.
Ampthill’s chief wicket takers were Danny Thompson, 4-28 off 11 overs, Jack Brown, 3-17 from 9.5, and Andy Steele, 2-25 off eight.
In their reply, Ampthill lost opener Gary Rupping for a duck while only Jason Dimond managed to master the Radlett attack and he saw out the innings unbeaten on 26 as they collapsed to 92 all out off 35.4 overs, Robin Willis taking 4-14 and Daniel Cohen 3-17.
Ampthill IIs were away to Northwood in Division Four where they claimed a four-wicket victory.
Batting first the hosts were all out for 176 off 52 overs with Phil Clark taking six wickets for 56 runs in his 20 overs.
Meanwhile Ampthill replied with 177-6 off 47.2 overs with opener Gavin Howson out for 43, Clark making 46 while Jeremy Degnan remained unbeaten on 34.
Flitwick travelled to Hitchin’s Lucas Lane for their Saturday Division One match which ended in a stalemate.
The Otters won the toss and put Hitchin into bat first and they made 225-9 off their 53 overs with Chamara De Zoysa taking 5-74 in his 21 overs and Jason Twist 3-97 off 25.
In reply Flitwick reached 194-6 from their 47 overs with opener Carl Ferguson making 40 and Tom Russell 33 not out.
In Division Six, Flitwick IIs (216-8 off 53, Sean Nicklin 48, Paul Thurstance 34) were beaten at The Vale by three wickets when they hosted Bentley Heath (219-7 off 47, Kieran Burman 5-53 off 16 overs).
BEDS INVITATIONAL LEAGUE:
There were just three scheduled matches in Division Three of the Beds Invitational League with Pavenham & Felmersham (45 all out) losing by 79 runs when they hosted Blunham IIs (134).
Over at Lancot Park’s Nursery Ground, Ampthill Town IVs faced their Dunstable Town counterparts and came away with a three-wicket win.
Batting first the home side made 161-7 from 45 overs (Ollie Evans 3-42) while the Amps had three overs to spare as they reached a winning 163-7 off 42 (Lee Houhgton 46).
HUNTS COUNTY CRICKET LEAGUE:
Following a record-breaking win the previous week, Cople Argus lost by 10 runs at home to Sawtry in the Hunts League’s Division Two despite restricting the visitors to 149-9 (Andrew Waller 4-27, George Gregory 4-48).
In reply the hosts were 139 all out after 35.2 overs, opener Daniel Moss and Matt Jamieson each making 30.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Bedford
Friday 24 May 2013
Today
Heavy rain
Temperature: 3 C to 8 C
Wind Speed: 33 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 5 C to 15 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: North
