Newdigate’s long running friendly against BBC Bushmen CC delivered exactly what these fixtures are meant to produce — runs, stories, momentum swings, and a field full of smiling cricketers by the end. But it also produced a proper contest, one that ebbed and flowed for all 70 overs before settling decisively in the visitors’ favour.
BBC Bushmen batted first by mutual agreement, and although they lost a wicket early, Harry Low (20) and Theo Mackenzie (33) stitched together a vital 42 run stand.
Newdigate’s best phase came just before drinks. Ian Kehl and Mark Treliving bowled with discipline, accuracy, and patience — the kind of pressure that forces mistakes rather than relies on magic balls. BBC slipped from 42/1 to 65/4 by the 18th over, and Newdigate were unquestionably on top.
Then came the turning point. Will Yates walked in and played the innings of the day: 70 off 56 balls, 11 fours and a six, mixing clean hitting with smart strike rotation. His counter attack flipped the momentum entirely. Contributions from David Morley (23), Tom Whyte (36) and Jamie Bullen (15) ensured the surge didn’t stop.
BBC closed on 224/7 from 35 overs, a total that felt above par.
Ian Kehl returned the best bowling figures for Newidigate with his 43/3 off 7 overs. He was ably supported by Mark Treliving claiming 28/2 off 7 overs. The bowling pair brought Newdigate in the correct track. However, inexperienced colt-rich bowling attack from Newdigate was not able to match up with BBC’s solid batting line. Hesandu Hirudaya and Monjur Elahi took 1 wicket respectably.
David Callcut (16) and Andy Kehl (10) began with purpose, keeping the required rate in check and looking comfortable. At 32/0, the chase was well shaped. Then came the collapse. In the space of five runs, Newdigate crashed to 37/3, and suddenly the mountain looked twice as steep.
Monjur Elahi dug in for a composed 25 off 45, playing the anchor role while Matt Jordan unleashed one of the finest Sunday XI counter attacks of the season.
Jordan’s 81 off 76 balls was electric — 13 boundaries, 2 towering sixes, and an 86 run partnership with Elahi that genuinely threatened BBC’s total. But once Jordan fell trying to lift the tempo, the innings lost its heartbeat. From 160/6, the tail fought admirably, adding 35 more runs, but Newdigate closed on 195/7, 29 runs short.
Jamie Bullen (33/1 off 7 overs) and Theo Mackenzie (23/2 off 7 overs) did the initial damage for Newdigate in their non-stop opening spells. Tom Whyte (28/2 off 7 overs) tightened the screws for the visitors while Arif Shamim (21/1 off 2 overs), although expensive, claimed the crucial wicket of Elahi.
In the end, it is a great friendly match played in good spirit, over 400 runs were scored, leaving a lots of happy players. Ian Kehl managed to hit his first ever six! Hesandu Hirudaya scored an impressive 13 runs with his brand new cricket bat, while Matthew Boshoff scored his first runs in adult cricket.