Shoddy fielding means victory slips through Bourne’s fingers

Having opted to field first, Bourne missed their first chance in the third over when Dave Mullett was dropped and the Exhall skipper, with his opening partner Matt Gwynn, compiled an opening partnership of 50 before Gary Maynard bowled Gwynn for 21.

Bourne then began to rein in the scoring and were back in the game with the visitors on 81 for four off 20 overs.

However, with Steve Kerby and Scott Carmichael at the crease, Bourne‘s usually reliable fielding went to pieces as the latter was dropped four times.

With the ground fielding also looking ragged, these two posted a 50-run partnership.

Dave Barnett then produced a smart stumping off Tom Stephenson to get rid of Kerby for 21 and eventually Carmichael (29) went aerial once too often and Nathan Edwards held on, again off the bowling of Stephenson.

Leon Gates and Jon Simpson rallied, taking the score to 181 before Simpson was caught by Chris Evans off Shearsby‘s first delivery.

Another dropped catch next ball cost Bourne dearly as more vital runs were added.

Gates went on to make 37 and B J Weston (12) took the innings past the 200-mark as Exhall closed on 204 for nine.

For the third time this season Gary Maynard and Wheeler posted a half-century partnership taking the score to 67 after 20 overs before Wheeler (18) was caught behind.

Edwards added 19 before being run out Maynard found an ally in number seven Barnett and these two upped the tempo until both were dismissed on 171.

First, Barnett was bowled by Gates for 18 and finally Maynard’s innings perished when, attempting his third six, he found Carmichael on the deep mid-wicket boundary and was out for an excellent 83.

Evans (18)and Stephenson tried hard to see Bourne home, but Exhall’s disciplined bowling meant they were always too far behind and the innings closed on 194 for nine.