Bridon lose out in low-scoring affair

Bridon 1st XI lost by 25 runs in a low scoring affair at home against Marshalls.

Strengthened by the return of Simon Davison and Matt Makings, Bridon asked Marshalls to bat first on a hard, bouncy wicket.

Despite the loss of opener M. Snell to Wayne Spooner's opening over, the second wicket pair of skipper Paul Van Der Heuvel and Kevin Housham took the total to 58 in the 22nd over before the skipper fell to Davison for 16.

This dismissal was the start of a collapse as the remaining eight wickets fell for just 81 runs.

Only Housham, with a solid top-scoring 30 and Ben Guilliatt made worthwhile contributions as the home side backed up the bowling well with fine catching, especially the keeper David Fagan who held on to four chances.

Spooner produced his best return of the season taking three for 26 while Davison and Matt Makings shared five wickets between them.

Bridon's reply began with James Boock and Spooner putting on 21untroubled runs until the first over of Matt Whitlam accounted for the former to a catch behind the wicket. Stewart Parkin joined Spooner who was looking in good form, but with the total on 30, the latter fell lbw to the slow left arm of Gary Andrews for 18.

Marc Brewer and Parkin in 4.2 overs produced a partnership of 31 which appeared to be setting up a victory for the home side.

However, Parkin fell in off-spinner Joe Allen's first over for 22, but Brewer continued to dominate the bowling.

With the score at 79 for three wickets, Brewer fell to Van Der Heuvel's off-spin for 22 and from this point the middle order fell away disappointingly, with five wickets falling for just six runs.

Indisciplined shots and good spin bowling from Allen plunged the innings into chaos.

James Crookes and George Appleyard, however, applied themselves more determinedly, adding 22 runs for the 10th wicket off 14 overs.

With the total on 107, Crookes was smartly stumped by Housham to give Allen his fifth wicket and seven runs later Van Der Heuvel caught Colin Hurst off his own bowling, giving the visitors an unlikely 25-run victory and 20 points.