OLD MID-WHITGIFTIAN 256-2 B Shorten 62, R Piggin 101, J McSherry 73*

BEDDINGTON 117

Old Mid-Whitgiftian won by 139 runs

Old Mid-Whitgiftian stunned second-placed Beddington with a magnificent display as Richard Piggin’s century and John McSherry’s all round heroics inspired them to a thumping 139-run win in Beddington Park on Saturday, writes Rob Keenan.

Having lost the toss and been asked to bat, Mids lost only two wickets in setting Beddington a daunting target of 257 to win.

Mids endured a sticky start against a Beddington opening attack obtaining plenty of early movement off the seam with Cowlin and Lewis giving Piggin and fellow opener Ben Shorten some anxious moments.

Arnold spilled a routine chance in the slips to remove Shorten while Piggn was also dropped at gulley in the early overs.

However, once the ball had lost its early shine, Mids punished Beddington heavily for these missed opportunities as Shorten and Piggin gradually started to dominate an attack which seldom looked capable of taking wickets.

Shorten hit 62 in an opening stand of 112, Mids’ best opening partnership of the season, to give the visitors the ideal start before he chipped a ball from Shaun Lewis to Down at backward point.

The wicket only lifted Beddington very briefly as John McSherry, one of four former Beddington players in the OMW side, took over where Shorten had left off.

McSherry cemented his grip on the number three batting slot with an unbeaten 73 in another big stand with Piggin who batted superbly for three hours to deliver the century he had promised for so long.

He was finally caught on the boundary for 101 as Mids went in search of some quick late runs before they closed their innings on 256 for two.

Mids made a breakthrough in the sixth over of Beddington’s reply when David White was bowled by Gavin Piper.

Some clever bowling from Piper and Mark Roberts really turned up the heat on the home side as Simon Lewis (20) and prolific Australian Ben Schumacher (12) were both caught out chasing short balls.

Matt Arnold (21) and captain Anthony Down (42) settled the innings down before a poor choice of shot from Arnold saw him bowled attempting to pull a ball from Piper.

From that point on, Beddington showed little interest in chasing their target and as the game wore on a draw looked increasingly likely.

The turning point came when the stubborn Down was narrowly run out attempting a quick single and Mids seized their opportunity to attack the tail in ruthless fashion.

Roberts (3-35) returned to the attack and soon found himself amongst the wickets again as wicketkeeper Jon Seaman took a superb diving catch to dismiss Shaun Lewis and Cowlin saw his middle stump taken out of the ground.

McSherry capped a wonderful all-round individual performance, taking three for five at the other end as Beddington lost their last six wickets for as many runs.

It was a memorable victory for Mids who now visit bottom club Horsley and Send on Saturday looking for another win to push them further towards safety.