Bowden 1st XI came within one wicket of toppling promotion chasing Burton Latimer at the Rec on Saturday showing guts and determination in defending a low score having been asked to bat first on a damp pitch following the significant amount of rain around during the week leading up to the match.
Runs were always going to be at a premium in conditions favouring the bowlers, particularly the seamers. Batting the full 50 over allocation was the primary objective of the home side; time in the middle would ensure that runs would come. Daniel Varnsverry (7) and Mick Brammer (26) got proceedings underway but wickets were likely to fall at any time. Rob Gomez (10) and Chris Knowles (0) were never able to get going and the innings was grinding to a halt at the midway point. However, Sam Gomez (45) played with patience and nerve, hitting the ball to boundary on eight occasions including an excellent six. Gomez was well supported at the end of the innings by Ed Ingram (23) as the villagers were able to post a total of 136 for 9 at the close.
After the tea interval, Bowden knew that batting conditions were never going to improve and they had every chance of enforcing a victory. Opening bowler Brad Downing (3 for 19) struck early, removing Alan Sewell for 2. Captain Sam Freer (1 for 28) chipped in with a wicket but with the visitors at 58 for 2, plenty of overs in hand; they looked well set to chase down the small target. It was at this point that Rob Gomez (5 for 35) began his match changing spell. Tapping Luke O’Dell LBW with his second ball Gomez took his wickets regularly during his 15 overs. The return of Downing too ensured that the momentum swung back to Bowden. Downing proved too quick as he uprooted the middle stump twice as Burton Latimer collapsed from 58 for 2 to 116 for 9 and having to play out the last 5 overs of the match to ensure a draw.