On a beautiful sunny afternoon at Manor Way, it came as no surprise when the hosts chose to bat first. However, they did not get off to the best of starts when Varun Anand, promoted from the second eleven after a fine innings seven days earlier, was dismissed by Sahil Shah without scoring. Shaun Evans then joined Aiden Griggs and they moved the score on to 51 for 1 by the end of the first ten overs power play.
Their partnership was worth 57 before Griggs was caught behind by Sam Smith off Michael Waller for 17. Stiddard then joined Evans, and Tunbridge Wells’ deployment of spin at both ends slowed up the run rate. As a result Bexley had to take quick singles when possible, and at the end of one, Evans appeared to pull up with cramp and had to retire hurt on 47.
Ben Aldred then joined Stiddard and they batted sensibly to take the score to 152 for 2 with nine overs remaining. Aldred, back in his more familiar mid-order slot, then cut loose and took fifteen off a Matt Barker over before perishing off the next ball he faced after reaching an excellent 50. Australian professional, Jack Sinfield kept the score ticking over before Stiddard decided to go after the bowling for the last five overs.
Two Chris Williams overs went for 27 before Sam Huggett had Sinfield caught in the deep for 25. Shah returned to bowl the final over, and Stiddard hit him for two big sixes before holing out to be caught by Waller. Stiddard’s outstanding knock of 93 came from 103 deliveries and included .
