Following last weekend’s comprehensive victory against newly promoted Bromley Common, the Vine 1st XI travelled to the home of current champions Beckenham full of optimism. Having won the toss, the Vine elected to bowl first. This decision appeared to backfire with a rapid start by openers Robinson and Senn who together smashed 50 off the first 6 overs. The pair both completed 50’s in rapid time, as the bowling was changed regularly in an attempt to stem the flow of runs.
With the score at 151, recently called up Mike Thompson struck, taking the big wicket of Robinson for 80, caught in the deep by Miles Richardson. Senn soon followed falling lbw to Luke Schlemmer.
The innings of MacVicar would however take centre stage, who alongside Lennox continued where Robinson and Senn had left off, before John Bowden took the wicket for Lennox for 41. Tom Coldman then took the final wicket of Asad Ali, leaving MacVicar unbeaten on 94 at the close of the innings, and Beckenham striking an ominous score of 315-4.
The Vine chase began poorly, losing two wickets in rapid succession to the pace of Ali, removing Bowden and Butler in successive balls. Ali would then go onto taking the wicket of Kent Professional Zak Crawley for 11. At 33-3, the Vine were struggling.
Barber and Schlemmer offered resistance and went about rebuilding the innings before Schlemmer was stumped by a superb piece of glovework by Robinson. Richardson then fell quickly to Nadir, and Aitken aided Barber well until falling for 19. It would then be Barber’s turn to fall who after scoring an excellent 54, was caught and bowled by Clements.
Thompson and Coldman then offered some form of resistance before falling to Ali and Taylor respectively, prior to Ali taking his fifth wicket of the match by bowling Parsons to conclude a highly disappointing outing. They play in the A21 derby against Tunbridge Wells on Saturday.
