MARCUS CRAWLEY reports Weakened Biggleswade lost to Luton Town and Indians by 101 runs on Sunday in the Beds Premier League. The Luton captain happily asked Biggleswade to field first on a scorching summer s afternoon. Jimmy Hart and Martin Whinnett bow

MARCUS CRAWLEY reports

Weakened Biggleswade lost to Luton Town and Indians by 101 runs on Sunday in the Beds Premier League.

The Luton captain happily asked Biggleswade to field first on a scorching summer's afternoon.

Jimmy Hart and Martin Whinnett bowled tidily and were well backed up by 16-year-old left-arm spinner Urvil Patel in his first Beds Premier League match.

Patel got through his 10 overs for just 40 runs and took three wickets along the way.

Luton only scored 135 off the first 30 overs but Jeremy Page (77) quietly established himself and soon the ball disappeared all round the ground.

The hosts amassed a further 136 runs from the remaining 16 overs, 64 of these coming in the last five overs.

A weary Biggleswade team trooped off for some tea before setting about the task of chasing down 272 to win.

James Peacock and Martin Wright put on 47 for the first wicket in good time before Wright was run out in a mix up.

Tariq Ahmed kept up the momentum while Peacock disappeared into his shell and when Ahmed fell for 26 in the 22nd over the score was only 85.

Hart was unlucky to be run out when backing up as a back foot drive from Peacock deflected off the bowler on to the stumps and Matt Twigg's weekend with the bat ended scoreless with his second duck in as many days.

The remaining batsmen could do no better and Peacock (78) struggled to score quickly as Biggleswade ended 170-8 off their 46 overs.

This Sunday, with the return of some regular players, Biggleswade entertain Ampthill at Fairfield.

A minute's silence was observed by both teams before the start of the game in honour of Biggleswade's legendary scorer, Ken Wright, who passed away on Friday.

Biggleswade were humbled at Elstow in the Millman One on Saturday.

They took 35 overs to get to 55 all out with John Gibbs batting through the innings for 31 on a poor wicket.

Elstow took less than 15 overs to reach their target for the loss of two wickets.

Biggleswade beat last year's finalists, Bedford Pakistanis, at Fairfield last Thursday in the second round of the Hospital Cup.

Along with four members of Biggleswade's Sunday side, Bedford Pakistanis also included ex-Biggleswade player South African Jon Cole-Edwardes.

Bedford Pakistanis won the toss and decided to bowl. The in-form Hart fell early and Biggleswade struggled against some tight bowling.

Some lusty blows from Whinnett (35) and a run-a-ball 32 from Ahmed got Biggleswade to 104 from their 16 six-ball overs.

In response Bedford Pakistanis' opening batsmen were restricted by tight bowling from Whinnett and Harmit Bahra. After eight overs they had only made 39 runs.

The first wicket fell in the 11th over with the score on 60 but with Cole-Edwardes coming in at three anything was possible.

Neil Wildon and Twigg bowled well as Bedford Pakistanis got further behind the run rate.

Wildon picked up Cole-Edwardes caught and bowled before Shabz Hussain was run out going for a tight second run.

Three wickets from Twigg's last over saw the visitors fall nine runs short.

* Ickwell Cricket Club host the Bedfordshire versus Middlesex under-13 county cup match on The Green this Sunday. Two local colts - Jak Winder (Ickwell) and James Kettleborough (Southill Park) - are in the Beds team. The match starts at 1pm and entry is free.