3 May 2008 St Lukes vs British Airways (Friendly) – Away (40 overs)

Report by Robin Ford

BA v St Lukes


Put in to bat BA started with both openers looking dangerous. However, once
his first over was out of the way Dougs McFarlane was bowling well and he
made the breakthrough with the score on 27, Ed Hardwicke catching a bullet
of a shot in the covers which was headed for a flat six. Then followed
wickets at regular intervals, another for Dougs, one for Tim Blatt and two
cleaned bowled by Des Heynes who was looking very sharp. At 101-5 BA might
have slumped to a total of 150 but for the no. 1 bat (Virdee) who was still
there and starting to take control of the innings. With some hitting out
towards the end of the innings he carried his bat with 101 not out after the
40 overs and he had been supported by Singh with 38 not out giving BA a
final score of 208-5.

Despite Ed's marvellous catch and good one caught and bowled by Dougs, the
ground fielding was patchy and will certainly need to be improved come the
league matches.

In reply St Lukes lost two early wickets before Charlie Hillman and Jon
Breaden put on an entertaining partnership of 44. However, wickets fell
just when new partnerships were beginning to take shape and St Lukes innings
steadily fell behind the required run rate and ended in a defeat of 55 runs.
There were good knocks from Charlie (30), Jon (17), Ed (40) and Tim Blatt
(24 not out) his 100th not out for the club, which did offer some hope for
the season.

Man of the match was a close call with good bowling performances from Dougs
and Des, but the honour goes to Ed for a good looking top score and "that"
catch.