Bedminster Cricket Club Sponsored By: Club Info Statistics Members Misc Bedminster XI vs. Sky News XI Played at The Clanage on Sunday 26th June 2005 They travelled from the four corners of London to the heart of the West Country to take on a Bedminster team determined to both honour the memory of Ian Seymour and avenge last year’s defeat and return the Ian Seymour Cup to it’s rightful home at The Clanage. John Donnelly was skippering the home side in the absence of John Knapp due to what is being described in certain circles as ‘The Ping Pong Conspiracy’. A determined Donnelly strode purposely to the wicket and four balls later strode back again somewhat dejectedly with his off stump lying on the ground and the distant sound of quacking echoing around Leigh Woods. Clearly shell shocked by the early loss of their captain the top order was soon disposed of, Neil Brown trying to clear the tallest fielder on the pitch and failing, Paul Pillinger giving first slip catching practice and Dave Hillier unaccountably missing a straight one. With the score teetering on 24-4 in the seventh and ignominy beckoning it was left to two of the younger players to drag the home side back into it. James Connell and Sam Knapp took full toll of anything off line and the partnership added 104 in 15 overs before Knapp was bowled by Holliday for 24. Danny Stevens then failed to even get into the frame as he was run out for just a single following a suicidal call from Connell. Reports of several large dents in the changing room from the infuriated left hander are yet to be confirmed. As time ran out Connell began to pepper the boundary at will to close on a century. Both Kevin Moore and George Brimble perished trying to hit out in the final overs and Connell was left on 92 not out as the home side closed their innings on a competitive 203-8 from the allotted 40 overs. Battle was then enjoined as the club’s two left arm opening bowlers set about the Londoners’ batting. Stevens of the Firsts was given the advantage of coming down the hill but only succeeded in whistling down two leg side wides in his first over. Chris Bailey of the Seconds charging manfully up the hill showed him how it should be done removing De Jersey for a duck in his second over. He then proceeded to remove four of the top five as the visitors reply got off to a terrible start. When Bailey induced MCC ‘star’ Holliday to loosely waft his second ball to Brown at point, without scoring, the writing was on the wall. Bailey added Storey for 12 and Crofts (8) to his tally. Finishing his 8 overs with the remarkable figures of 4-16. George Brimble replaced Stevens (0-23) from the top end and cleaned out Jenkins with his second ball. After that the innings became something of a procession, a smart catch by Connell behind the stumps giving Brimble a second wicket and figures of 2-15. MacBean took 3 wickets at the other end and Pat Bailey and Dave Hillier one a piece to leave the visitors eleven down and still short of three figures. Enter Simon Cole wearing a pink shirt and a single pad to bolster the lower innings. He proceeded to scramble through for a single to get off the mark and leave Jackson to crash four through extra cover to bring up the hundred before Cole called a halt on proceedings and declared the innings closed. A home victory by 100 runs and a game played in the spirit in which it was intended left only the excellent barbecue prepared by Deb Carter, ably assisted by Kath Knapp, to be given the appropriate treatment and the day declared a success all round. Bedminster XI: 203-8 (40.0 overs) James Connell 92*, Sam Knapp 24 Holliday 2-11, Gumbley 2-14 Sky News XI: 103-11 dec (35.0 overs) Storey 12 Chris Bailey 4-16, Hamish MacBean 3-10, George Brimble 2-15 Bedminster XI beat Sky News XI by 100 runs Combined Team Photo