New Captain Maurice Beale won the toss and had no hesitation deciding to bowl first in the Wiltshire League Division One opening fixture against Purton cricket Club, a decision vindicated by opening bowlers Matthew Harrington (2-19) & Tony Laws(3-25)the latter snaring Wiltshire Minor County player Tom Bowler. Spinner Dean Bird(3-16) entered the attack and Purton were reduced to 79 for 7 by the 19th over.Purton scored another 30 runs and with the score on 109 lost 3 quick wickets with Rufus Lakin(2-10)wrapping up the Purton Innings. Chasing a low total Bradford on Avon got off to the worst possible start with the top order decimated as Imran Ashraf(4-27) reduced Bradford to 28 for 5 by the 12th over. Wiltshire leg spinner Tom Bowler then got in on the act and Bradford were staring down a very deep dark hole with the score at 38 for 7 in the 15th over. You could hear a pin drop among the watching Bradford spectators and players, everyone in a state of  shock and disbelief. What followed can only be described as the great escape as the cool calculating Matthew Harrington (35 not out off 73 balls) displaying true grit and determination,first in partnership with Darren Jones (16 off 7 balls) and then in a 46 run partnership with Dean Bird(20 off 40 balls)until Bird was caught on the boundary, the score 97 for 9. Enter 18 year old Rufus Lakin at number 11 knowing Purton were only one wicket away from victory. It took another nail biting 8 overs of ball by ball hold your breath tension,when finally man of the match Matthew Harrington secured the winning runs with a boundary much to the relief of the Bradford on Avon home team to give a moral boosting victory in this crucial Wiltshire League Division One tie which could gain more significance for both sides as the season progresses. Bradford on Avon Cricket Club 19 points Purton 6
Pictured-Matthew Harrington Leads Bradford On Avon Home To Victory