The three day match between Bucks Men and Suffolk begins at Chesham CC tomorrow, 11 am start.
Last season Bucks won by 119 runs at Bury St Edmunds to clinch the Eastern Division 1 title. Last week Bucks had a rather humbling 8 wicket defeat at Northumberland, but three weeks ago at Chesham, Bucks inflicted a heavy defeat on Staffs.
It’s all to play for in this division, any team can win it. It will probably take wins against Suffolk and Cambs (away) for Bucks to finish top.
There is plenty of shade at Chesham, a bar and the kiosk serves light snacks (bacon/sausage rolls etc.), drinks and ice cream. Bring a camping chair.
After last week’s excellent win against Wilts, Bucks Women are once again at High Wycombe CC tomorrow, when they take on Cheshire in Metro Bank One Day Cup Women’s League 3 - Division 1. 50 overs, 11am start.
At Chesham, Bucks Men 205 all out off 71.2 overs. Ewan Cox a fluid 66 off 79 balls, the only batter over 30. Something of a recovery by Bucks after being 123-7.
At High Wycombe, Bucks Women are making a good response in the chase for 340, currently 103-1 off 16 overs.
Suffolk 173 all out off 43.5 overs. The ninth wicket went down quickly this morning, giving Tom Weymes his fifer, but the last two put on 48 off 40 balls, Dan Shanks unbeaten on 39 off 31 balls. The Bucks lead is 32, smaller than they wanted, but Suffolk have to bat last on this pitch.
At lunch, Bucks are 56-3 off 20 overs, a lead of 88.
A lot of people here today, more than yesterday, including a group from The Cricket Society.
Yesterday Philip Barker was here and I had a chat with him. You may remember his memorable commentary on the early 90s videos, in particular the PNE play-off final and Dave Carroll’s wonder goal - “he could go all the way!”.
This has now been live for an hour and @eric_plant still hasn’t appeared to tell us that Dave Carroll’s other goal was the better of the two. I guess it’s pre-season for the Gasroom too…
Very good. He has a point, though. “… Dave Carroll’s wonder goal (but not quite as much of a wonder as his goal 10 minutes earlier)” would be a better way to put it.
Tea taken after Bucks were bowled out for 182 off 61.1 overs. Ewan Cox top scored with 55, Jack Beaumont 4-16 off 16 overs. Suffolk require 215 to win.
Close, Suffolk are 80-1 off 36, overs chasing 215. Initially plenty of early pressure and plenty of appeals but no wicket until the 23rd over. Play resumes at 11am, this is still winnable for Bucks.
At lunch, Suffolk are 171-8 off 73 overs. A tense but exciting morning has seen seven wickets tumble, Haddow with five wickets and Foreman with three are well on top of the batters. Darren Ironside resisted stubbornly and was out for 55 last ball before lunch. Suffolk need 44 to win.
Bucks are a bit light on batting points so, even if they win at Cambs in their final game, they could be overtaken. The last time a Bucks batter scored a hundred was almost two years ago and a couple of top order spots are probably not settled yet.
