Belmont defeated in Edgware derby by 59 runs - The Jewish Chronicle

Jacobs won the toss and in overcast conditions at Mill Hill Village CC and opted to field. Jonny Eintract and Josh Reynolds shared the new ball, but neither really troubled the Edgware openers and runs came easily, primarily in the form of boundaries.

Very little got passed the batsmen, and after 12 over it was time for a change at both ends with the score on 67 (Eintract 6 overs for 25, Reynolds 6 overs for 39). Enter Jacobs and vice-captain Adam Morris, with differing outcomes. The openers took a liking to Jacobs' short-pitch bowling and dispatched him mercilessly to the boundaries, whilst they struggled to read Morris. After two overs that went for 22, Jacobs gave himself another over, which was surprising as it looked like taking pace off or skidding bowling (Gothelf or Mendel) might have been a better option. However, with the last ball of the over he saw Ciaran, at the time on 46, guide the ball to Iranga in gully.

This then triggered an improved performance from the captain, who extended his spell. The runs continued to flow, although Morris continued to trouble the batsmen without being rewarded. He even saw Reynolds drop a regulation catch off his bowling. However, a revitalised Jacobs sent Shuraj back to the hut as Steven Altmann-Richer took a comfortable catch behind the stumps.

After 24 overs it was time for another double bowling change as Zack Gothelf and Jack Mendel tried to stem the runs, with Edgware on 133-2 (Jacobs 6 overs 2 wicket for 38 and Morris 6 overs for 28). Opener Nakul hit 50 off 50 balls and did not seem affected by his horrendous hangover. With the field spread and very few in the ring the bowlers needed to bowl tight, but every bad delivery was guided into the spaces between fielders. The six overs of spin and skid went for 40 runs and Nakul reached his hundred (his second fifty in 33 balls) without much difficulty.

Enter Simon Taylor, whose first two overs were given the respect they deserved for five runs but Saj and a now free-flowing Nakul hit him out of the attack in his third.

It was time to bring back the first four bowlers, but pace was exactly what Edgware wanted and Eintract saw his two remaining overs go for 23. Morris tried to tide the flow but he too was hit but got some revenge with two wickets. First the dangerous Saj was caught by Reynolds and then he bowled Rahul. His figures were destroyed towards the end of his spell as 25 came off his last two overs. Reynolds also picked up a wicket but went for 24 off his two.

Jacobs used his slow balls to good effect, collecting his third wicket at the cost of just four more runs as Edgware finished on 266- 6 off the 40 overs, with Nakul undefeated on 134no, without giving a single opportunity. Special mention to Greg Mayer and Zack Gothelf for some great stops in the field to save more runs.

In reply, Altmann-Richer and especially Iranga went on the offence and after eight overs BECC were on top. However, Iranga then holed out for 35 off just 30 balls. This somehow meant Stephen went back into his shell and Greg Mayer hit some powerful shots, but each time found a fielder. After he was bowled, skipper Jacobs came in and the pair increased the run-rate. Just as the partnership was growing, Altmann-Richer drive a hard shot though extra cover and the fielder snaffled one he had no right to take, seeing off Stephen for 22 off 59 balls.

After all his "chirping" from the side-line, Simon Taylor had his chance to increase the score. Time to put his bat where his mouth was. At 95-3 in 22 overs there was a slim chance and the two scored in singles and boundaries The 11-over partnership was worth 51, but in comparison Edgware had turned more dot balls into runs.

Jack Mandel stood defiant, almost laughing at appeals for LBW that were going down the leg side from fielders on the boundary. Jacobs glided to another 50 in 54 balls then played one skyer that was held (he'd been dropped twice before - his luck was going to run out at some stage) and finished on 51.

This brought bam-bam Reynolds to the crease with the score on 146-4 and seven overs remaining to hit 120. Taylor edged one to the keeper for 21 and almost serenly accepted his fate. Morris came and went, but he'd done his job earlier. Whippet-esque Eintract kept forgetting that McLeod had to run as quick as him if they wanted more than a single and almost caused a run out but the two seemed a great pairing as they piled on the runs in the fading light. They added 41 runs in four overs, both securing the famous red-ink being not out at the end of the innings. Nick was on 23 off 13 balls and Jonny 22 off 16, meaning BECC finished 59 runs short on 207-7 off 40 overs.

This was a score no one really expected at tea and the difference between the sides was one exceptional batsman.

A BECC spokesman said: "The team should feel very proud of their performance. Everyone played their part and it was a good warm-up for next week's league game.

"Today many regulars were missing but they should worry as the strength in the team means all places are under threat.

"The only disappointment was that Vale's 10-man side beat their nine-man opposition so quickly they didn't get to see how all our side contributed and managed to score over 200 again."