Coming Second to the Bishop’s Cannings

This was an inaugural match for the Queries for which both teams were ‘oversubscribed’ demonstrating how keen people are to play in these exceptional times. Queries won the toss and inserted their hosts, making a very promising start as skipper Rupert Bagnall bowled one opener in the 3rd over, and Ed Olley took a second wicket in the 8th. A run out followed and BCCC was 68/3. However Harry Easton, who has played once or twice for the Queries, settled in to his crease and scored a useful 43 before getting well bowled by an inswinger from Jack Campbell. Other wickets came and went but it was BCCC skipper Stan Alsop who did all the damage and drove their total past 200 with his own contribution of 82. BCCC finished their 35 overs at 233 for 9. Ed Olley and Ninian Macgregor took two apiece, and Rupert Bagnall, Jack Butler, Josh Sullivan, Jack Campbell and Paul Sullivan took one apiece. Game on !

We started well, and Josh Sullivan was particularly impressive with his eight 4s and one 6 before he was unlucky to get run out one short of his maiden half century. It was a very good innings and we would hope to see more of Josh next season. Dan Pirie top-edged a rising ball for 14, Jack Campbell was lbw for 19 and then everyone else except Ed Olley fell away.  Ed was in defiant mood and belligerently hit the ball to all corners of the ground for a wonderful 77 when they finally caught one of his big bashes. A cameo 10 from Rupert Bagnall at the close, and Queries were all out for 208, 25 short of their target.

Obviously Ed’s innings stole the show, but Josh Sullivan with bat and ball [5 overs 1 for 32], Jack Campbell also with bat and ball should both make popular Queries next season and beyond.  Jack Butler bowled well and unflappably and is a much better bowler than he thinks! Dan Pirie had another competent game with the gloves, and Josh’s father Paul also bowled a really useful 5 overs for just 32 runs. There were lots of positives to take from this game: Queries cricket is in a good place with people like these in its ranks.

Many thanks to Ed Davies for hosting the fixture and his excellent bbq after the match. We shall look forward to a return fixture next season, hopefully is Covid-free conditions.