Photography © David Betteridge

SCORES:

Bunburys 189-9 (Akash Chopra 45, Matthew Wood 37)
Chigwell School Headmaster's XI 186-13 (Darren Cousins 3-23)

BUNBURYS WON BY 3 runs

A near perfect day greeted the Bunbury’s first fixture of the season at the invitation of Chigwell School. The Headmaster’s Team were bolstered by the inclusion of  Devon Malcolm and Chris Lewis, but the Bunnies, with their 20 man side still looked strong enough to see them off.

After the toss, Samantha Fox defected to the Headmaster’s side in order to bowl the first over, a perfect maiden. Lewis and Malcolm were then immediately brought into the attack, bowling to Bunbury openers Aakash Chopra and Ben Howgego. The first change gave Chigwell their first wicket, Carlos Remy having Howgego caught for 22 trying to increase the run rate.

Chopra continued to hold the innings together whilst losing partners before playing round a straight ball from Mark Hutchinson for a belligerent 45. At 109 for 5 from 22 overs, the Bunburys looked to skipper David English to steady the ship and with useful contributions of  19 from Duncan Wood and an exciting 35 from 22 balls from Matthew Wood, they ended up with a competitive 189 for 9 from their allotted 35 overs

Chris Lewis then opened the batting for the Headmaster’s Side, scoring quickly off Bunbury openers Charlie Dagnall (or was it Bob Willis or maybe even Graham Gooch) and Douglas Hondo. An inspired change of bowling by the captain removed Lewis for 31 off the bowling of  Kevin Miller, who took 2 for 17 from his 3 overs. Duncan Wood then joined in, taking 2 for 11 from 4 overs.

At 71 for 4 from 14 overs, the game was evenly balanced before James Stedman (38) and Rohan Bhome (31) came together, putting on 65 for the fifth wicket before Parag Ravel took 2 wickets in the 24th over. Needing 63 from 11 overs, Bunbury skipper David English introduced Darren Cousens into the attack who turned the game in their favour, taking 4 for 23 at the death, despite Carlos Remy’s 29 off 35 balls. The Headmaster’s Team finally ran out of available batsmen at 7:50, leaving victory to the Bunburys by 3 runs.

 

A full match report will appear here in due course.