MBCC Sunday XI V's Kensington

Despite a dreadful forecast and thunder and lightning at 10.00 am, the Sunday X1 still managed to get a full game on Sunday against Kensington. Upon winning the toss Mat Armstrong elected to bat. All the top order got early season runs, Baz Wykes in his own inimitable way. Ryan Bezuidenhout showed a good technique and his swiftness between the wickets. Brett Van Niekerk, cut and pulled powerfully and was also strong on the drive. Tiredness and a slight muscle twinge, due to slipping on the damp surrounds, possibly deprived him of a century in his first innings for the club. Chairman Nick Clements was quick into his stride striking 8 4's in his 40, mostly courtesy of sumptuous drives. At 186 - 5 after 32 overs their was a possibility that Bray may let their good start get away but Sunday regulars Andy Parham and special agent Atif Amin had other ideas. An excellent 6th wicket stand of 62 in 7 overs left Bray with a daunting total. Both batsmen showed surpising fluency when one considers their lack of appearances at winter nets! Bray's innings was unusual for the fact that on three occasions the opposition gained three wickets only for the umpire to shout "no-ball" !

In response Kensington put Bray under pressure with an opening stand of 94, but once Andy Parham dismissed Kelleher Bray were always in control. All the seamers should have benefited from this run out and will hopefully perform better next weekend. The opposition batsmen had problems with the slow bowling of Andy Parham and his spell of 8/0/35/3 won Bray the game, strangely all courtesy of lbw decisions. Ryan Bezuidenhout showed that he will be immense benefit to Bray in the field both with his useful quickish off-spin and his excellent fielding, which included three catches. In the gathering gloom it was left to Atif Amin to polish off the tail with three direct hits.

Man of the Match - Andy "tank" Parham.