Belmont beaten in T20 friendly

Belmont & Edgware’s latest T20 friendly match ended in a disappointing defeat.

T20 Friendly:
Pentland 169-3
Belmont & Edgware 136-8
Belmont lost by 33 runs
Wednesday, 20 July, 2016

Bowling first on hot evening, pace man Ben Tilley got Belmont off to a great start by bowling a maiden. Debutante Sam Senchal (poached from Noble Ends) started from the other end and achieved the same result. This early pressure led to some streaky shots and a few outside edges going for four.

There was also a very good LBW shout turned down against the opener before he had reached double figures, before Jack Mendel replaced Senchal, who was difficult to get away and picked up two wickets, both bowled; the second was round the batsmen’s legs, very Warne-esque!

Shajeen bowled in good areas but by the time he came on, the opener had his eye in and began to hit some beautiful strokes. Jonny Kaye, a wicket keeper by trade, did a good job getting through three overs but was hit for a few boundaries. Another wicket keeper in Michael Blasebalk (off duty tonight as understudy Joel was given a chance behind the stumps) bowled an over. Unfortunately the opener decided to go after him and hit two big sixes which took him to 91. Unselfishly, he then decided to retire! The opening pair were brought back and Senchal managed to pick up a wicket with the final ball of the innings. Belmont had been set a sizable target of 170 to win.

The two Mayers (Elliott and Phil) got off to a flyer, hitting 14 off the first over. Sadly that would be the full extent of the partnership as Phil was caught and bowled off the first ball of the second over. Jonny Kaye and Joel Freedman played some good looking shots, but neither managed to stay very long and were dismissed for four and five respectively. Next to go was Elliott. After hitting some nice shots and looking comfortable he decided that he had to take a few more risks if Belmont were to win.

This led to him middling a short ball to cover where a smart catch was taken and he was gone for 44. Harvey was next in and got his first runs in two years. He was then run out for three, somewhat controversially. Blazey hit a couple of sweetly timed fours before being run out himself. This brought Shajeen to the crease who looked like he could be dangerous after hitting a huge six over mid-wicket. Unfortunately he was bowled soon after. Senchal was forced to retire hurt after a fielder hit him with the ball in a run out attempt and Tilley came and went for two. By this stage, Belmont knew that the game was beyond them and Leslie Allweis and Mendel finished the innings not out, on one and two respectively.

While an enjoyable game played in a good spirit, it was disappointing Belmont were on the wrong side of the result but there were some good individual performances with the bat and ball and definitely some positives to take into the next few fixtures.