FRIENDLY MATCH
BELMONT & EDGWARE CC 207-7
BERKHAMSTED 211-6
BECC LOST BY 4 WICKETS

Belmont & Edgware suffered a six-wicket defeat in a friendly against Berkhamsted.

Captain Adam Jacobs won the toss for a second consecutive time and opted to bat on what looked like an "absolute road".

The Mayer father-and-son opening combination resumed their partnership and put on 50 for the first wicket with Phil by far the dominant scorer, as he found some short pitched bowling to his liking.

Berkhamsted, clearly concerned by this development, brought on their first-team fast bowler as a first change - but this failed to stem the flow as Phil hooked him first ball for four off his helmet. However, when Elliott nicked to first slip, for just four, Belmont suffered a mini collapse.

Freedman saw off the quick well but was bowled shortly afterwards, before no.4 Jacobs slapped a full toss straight to square leg on 3.

When Phil Mayer holed out in the next over, Belmont were suddenly teetering on 70-4, having been 50-0. However, Evans and Taylor restored order with a quality 50 partnership. Evans was the most fluent he's been all season before mistiming a drive on 36 when seemingly well-set.

Taylor meanwhile, by his own admission, scratched around during the early part of his innings, before becoming increasingly expansive.

Sam Goldman, making his first appearance of the season after ACA exams, continued where Evans left off, as he intelligently found the gaps - including one unorthodox "quasi-scoop" almost directly over his stumps. Taylor reached a well-constructed 50 in the 39th over as Belmont closed on 207-7 to record their second consecutive score over 200.

Despite an early wicket, Jacobs and Joe Saleh, BECC's opening bowlers found the going tough on a flat surface as Berkhamsted got off to flier. This failure to contain the opposition meant that Belmont were always on the back foot.

David Kay was brought on to stem the flow and his slow bowling brought two wickets, as players attempted to hit him for six but only succeeded in finding the fielders.

Taylor demonstrated his all-round qualities, bowling tightly and dismissed Berkhamsted's no. 3 when he was well-set on 65.

Ben Tilley also managed to pick up a couple of wickets towards the end in an accurate spell but ultimately it was a little too late as the opposition's no.5 guided them to victory with six overs to spare. He finished on 59 not out.