With the Second XI now firmly in a grip of a relegation scrap, beginning the day a perilous 0.02 average points per game above the bottom two, there was an air of importance on the fixture with four games remaining – all against sides in the bottom half of the table. Petersfield arrived to see local youths on eBikes whizzing across the outfield, with a close inspection of the pitch suggesting it was going to be a day for the slower bowlers with elements of it looking dry and crumbly… With recent batting issues front of mind, Petersfield captain Steve Gibson was keen to bowl first and look to restrict our hosts, Bedhampton Mariners (“Bedo”), to a modest total and give as smaller chase as possible. Gibson did indeed call correctly, electing to field first. Tosswatch – Mr Gibson has recorded his ninth toss victory of the season, from 14 attempts, meaning any further wins in the last three games will ensure he has beaten the standard 50:50 odds for a coin toss. Strong work, skip!

With pre-match formalities concluded, Bedo openers Steve Rudder (8) and Paul O’Leary (23) wandered out to do battle with Petersfield openers Steve Gibson (1-34) and Adam Kidd (2-25). Rudder looked to play positively up top, but was removed by Gibson who clipped the bails in the final salvo of a wonderful over with the ball nipping around off the seam. Kidd soon after removed the host’s captain Gary Hounsome (2), bowling his adversary. This brought Max Cummings (55) to the crease which brought some additional power and aggression to the middle, looking to drive the ball hard whenever any length was on offer. Gibson replaced himself with Olaf Swanzy (0-23), and Nathan Barlow (3-28) came on to replace Kidd shortly after at the other end. It was, however, the bowling changes but an excellent direct-hit run out from Kidd that removed O’Leary. Barlow then got in on the action removing Harvey Hounsome (3), clean bowled. Tom Horwood (0-17) was brought into the attack from Swanzy’s end and immediately looked dangerous, extracting turn from the pitch and keeping the scoring rate extremely well contained whilst Barlow claimed scalps at the other end. Comedy ensued when a Barlow ‘heavy ball’ snapped the bat of Cummings in half, with the replacement bat that “has scored a thousand runs already” not being put to good use as he was clean bowled next ball. Soon after, a rare second run out of the innings, as Horwood swooped a extra cover to pick up and throw cleanly for Petersfield’s wicket keeper to do the rest of the job and knock bails off with Harvey Beaudelaire (3) a good yard short of his ground… Horwood and Barlow continue to keep the run rate down, bowling through their eight overs each, with Barlow able to claim one last scalp before his time was up, removing Steve Parvin (0) LBW without troubling the scorers. With the score now at 106-7, Petersfield hoped to mop up the tail quickly, especially with openers Gibson and Kidd returning to the fore. Things looked up for the visitors, with Kidd clean bowling Steve Cocks (3), but then a stubborn tail gently wagged for the hosts… Numbers 9 and 10, Dan Hood (20) and Stephen Andrews (10*) put on 34 for the ninth wicket, frustrating Petersfield in the process. It wasn’t until the last ball of the innings that Rich Stephens (1-9) had Hood stumped, going for one big shot too many. Bedo 143-9 from their allotted overs.

Whilst a good effort with ball in hand as well as in the field, Petersfield walked off feeling the last partnership had dragged Bedo a reasonable competitive (if slightly underpar) score on a tough wicket. Would Petersfield rue leaking an extra 15 to 20 runs later in the day…

Regular opener Tom Horwood (23) and younger Fraser Anstey (7), making is opening debut in adult cricket, strode to the middle to set about the chase. Horwood was in assertive mood, hitting five boundaries inside the first three overs mainly off Thomas Coombes (1-39), only to hit one straight back at Steve Parvin (1-21) having hit the ground on the way through his attempted on-drive. An early blow, but at 25-1, Petersfield were ahead of the rate and had a platform… Anstey followed soon after, however, struggling to get going and was also caught and bowled, this time by Coombes. This meant captain Steve Gibson (8) and the attacking-minded James Longland (18) were together at the crease, putting on 27 for the next wicket… The situation was positive for Petersfield with the score at 59-2, until disaster struck and score suddenly read a more precarious 59-4. First, Longland was caught at long-on off Gary Hounsome (2-20) and then Gibson saw one sneak through an attempted work to the leg side, being bowled by Stephen Andrews (4-14). Rich Stephens (5), struggled to get going and was also bowled by Andrew’s, with Derek Kelly (13) looking to work the ball around nicely but was caught, again off the bowling of Andrews who had really begun to turn the tide in favour of the hosts. Youngster Zach Holgado (0) showed glimpses of being one for future, confident to stand up on the back foot against balls bouncing high on him, but sadly wandered out of his crease playing one shot to be stumped, giving Andrews the last of his quartet of wickets. Suraj Sashidharan (21) and Nathan Barlow (12) offered resistance, with the Petersfield middle and lower order looking to wag, but sadly the run rate was starting to get away from the visitors – whilst solid and sensible, runs were hard to get for the pair, despite putting on 35 for the eighth wicket. Sashidrahan fell LBW to the left-arm orthodox of Steve Rudder (2-21), with only one further run before Barlow was then removed caught and bowled by the same bowler. Adam Kidd (3*) was then left stranded, as Number 11 Olaf Swanzy (1) was stumped off the bowling of Gary Hounsome, with Petersfield Captain Gibson at Square Leg to glumly raise the finger, calling time on an all too familiar batting collapse for the Second XI. Bedo win by 27 runs.

A tough pitch, yes, and an opposition that knew how to use it with significant experience on their side, yes… But Petersfield rightly disappointed with some poor shot selection and an inability to rotate the strike that saw too many dot balls build pressure that couldn’t be released… Regrettably undoing a lot of good work with the ball and in the field. Three important games against fellow strugglers coming up, with a crucial game at home to bottom club (and equally out of form) Steep at the Heath next week