Already relegated Bowden 2nd XI entertained title chasing Mears Ashby at the Rec on Saturday with a weakened team and put up a good performance against the odds. The visitors won the toss and with the strongest batting line up in the Division opted to bat first on a firm, dry pitch.
Steve Bellamy and Ben Moss opened the bowling and soon had Mears Ashby in trouble at 14 for 2 as Moss (3 for 40) claimed a couple of early wickets. The fielding was tight and runs were at premium. But Jamie Chamberlain (66) and captain Tim Chamberlain (75) played cautiously, firstly seeing off the opening bowling and then circumspectly against the change bowlers of Alex Firth (0 for 53), Jake Thornton (0 for 26) and Mike Firth (0 for 17). Their partnership had reached 130 before the return of Bellamy (6 for 24) and Moss (3 for 60) started to make inroads into the batting line up. Simon Linsell bowled his customary over for the season, claiming a wicket as the visitors were bowled out for 201 in the final of their 45 overs. The score represented a good performance by the Bowden bowlers and fielders who had feared a score of over 300 against a side who'd lost only 2 matches all season.
After the interval, makeshift openers Andy Marshall and Simon Linsell took the score to 34 in even time before Marshall (3) was excellently caught at first slip. Chris Rose (21) joined his skipper and the score progressed nicely to 73 before Linsell (24) was stumped off the excellent slow left arm bowling of Jason Millard (5 for 24). The innings quickly subsided after the loss of the second wicket and only Steve Bellamy (10 not out) managed double figures as Steve Pothecray claimed 3 wickets for 14 runs to dismiss the home side for 96.