Bedu hang on for the draw in tense finish at The Paulin Ground

Jesters CC 190-6 dec (Sachin Rawson 49, Chak 45, Doward 30*)

The Bedouin 147-9 (Butler 4-37, Chak 3-33)

Match drawn

It was a family affair at the Paulin Ground for the annual wandering derby as 10 Jesters took on the Bedu, who themselves fielded five Jesters members. As expected the match was played in excellent spirits and Clapp lbw Simon Rawson was the major talking point of the day.

Rowan was sent in first by Bedu skip Rob Harrison in the hope of a lightning start chasing 191. He got off the mark with a powerful boundary but was soon sent packing by a trademark Rawson dobbler, nipping back to trap the strapping Clapp bang in front. The huge appeal immediately turned into peals of laughter. It would be the first of many appeals throughout the innings, most of them from Mohit at square and fine leg. Sadly, this was all-rounder Mohit's final game for the Jesters for a while as he heads to a new job in India, he's been a fantastic addition to the Club this season and we very much hope to see him again in the future.

Earlier in the day, skippers Ollie Doward and Rob Harrison flipped the coin under leaden skies, with Ollie calling correctly and electing to bat in a time game. Max Winchester (21) unfurled a series of elegant boundaries before holing out to Joe Phelan off Dan Hayes when looking very well set. Then came the dominant partnership of the innings between DJ Chak (45) and Sachin Rawson (49) who put on 83 for the third wicket. Three quick wickets from the lively Jake Wilkinson pegged us back but Doward (30*) and Mohit Pandey (22*) lashed out in a late flurry that brought 50 runs off the last five overs, allowing the declaration to come at 190 after Ollie had deposited the final ball of the 35th over over the square leg boundary.

After the early departure of talisman Clapp, the Bedu were always up against it with wickets falling at regular intervals, mostly thanks to an excellent spell on debut by Sam Butler (4-37). Only Harrison resisted with a lovely knock of 45, containing nine boundaries. Jake Wilkinson (38) briefly had us concerned with some aggressive hitting at the end but Chak (3-33) was introduced to assume his customary role of sweeping up the tail! Victory seemed inevitable as the last 20 overs ebbed away but we just couldn't shift the obdurate Hayes (20*) and The Undertaker.

Jesters X: Doward (c), Winchester, Mitesh, Chak, Sachin Rawson, Gilliam, Pandey, Butler, Simon Rawson, Trow