A trip to Bessborough CC ended in a narrow defeat for Southgate's 1st XI. Whilst the result ultimately went against them, there was plenty to admire in the way the visitors competed throughout.
Asked to bat first, Southgate got off to a positive start through Hugh Hyslop's fluent 42 from 44 balls. However, what initially looked like an excellent batting wicket soon began to break up, and Bessborough were quick to make the most of their spin options. Three wickets fell for the addition of just one run to leave Southgate wobbling at 105-5. With the innings threatening to unravel, Stefaan Fernando produced a gritty 25 from 80 balls, an innings worth considerably more than the score suggests as he battled the conditions and held the innings together. Useful lower-order contributions helped Southgate recover to 153, a total that looked increasingly competitive on a surface that became harder to bat on with every over.
Bessborough's reply appeared to be progressing comfortably thanks largely to Pratik Patel's unbeaten 81. It wasn't one for the purists, but it proved highly effective as he guided the home side towards what looked a comfortable victory. At 104-2, the home side looked firmly in control, but Southgate refused to let the game drift away. Laurence Perry led the attack superbly with three wickets, David Woffinden claimed two, and suddenly wickets began to tumble. Five wickets fell for just 49 runs as what had looked a routine chase developed into a nervy finish.
As the pressure increased, so too did the volume. The home side's vocal encouragement during Southgate's bowlers' run-ups was met with understandable frustration and a few tempers briefly flared. Credit should go to Southgate, though, who kept their composure, played the game in the right spirit and continued to compete until the very end.
Bessborough eventually got over the line with two wickets to spare, leaving Southgate to reflect on what might have been with just a few more runs on the board. The result may not have gone our way, but the fight, character and competitiveness on show offered plenty of encouragement for the remainder of the season. The judges were unanimous in awarding a joint Man of the Match to Stefaan and Beavan Fernando for their transfer decisions earlier this season.
Kunaal Kankate