In the end, the Brigands had a comfortable victory over the Cornishmen but at 28-3 chasing 108 that outcome had not seemed likely.
Cornwall won the toss and elected to bat on a wicket that ‘did a bit’ until well into the Brigands’ innings. Ed Hands and Osmond opened, bowled tightly and, in Ed’s case, with real pace, in the face of which the Cornishmen found runs difficult to come by – the first four of the innings not coming until the 15th over. The opening bowlers were well supported by the spin of Yusuf Khan, Beardall and Nick Hands, and the seam bowling of Lockie Mann. As result, wickets fell at regular intervals and Cornwall failed to build partnerships. The Brigands’ fielding backed up the bowlers well and remained tight throughout with Wood (2), Turner and Osmond all taking good catches. Apart from a six that (finally) tested the new netting, the Cornwall innings subsided to a below-par 108.
Given that many scores on the Down this season have been near or above 200, the Brigands obviously assumed that knocking off the run would be relatively straightforward. However, at 28-3 with the team’s best batsmen back in the pavilion things did not seem so rosy. However, an 81-run partnership by His Honour Judge Dingemans and BDPT Chairman Beardall steadied the ship, ran singles astutely and finally dominated the bowling to see Brigands home with wickets and time to spare.
Cornwall Over 60s: 108 all out (E Hands 3-4; N Hands 2-11; Beardall 2-20)
Brigands: 109-3 (Beardall 42*; Dingemans 41*)
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