Looking to build on the Nick Green / Deano inspired heroics of the previous week, the 3’s headed into Saturdays match in buoyant mood. A solid performance against league leaders, Tickborne Park 2’s, followed by the win against Overton 3’s, gave the side plenty of reasons to be confident.
AWE Tadley were the hosts on a stinking hot afternoon, who themselves were in good form, being unbeaten in their last two matches. A classic mid-table battle was on the cards.
Fast start
Following a relatively calm selection process this week, Kris had already decided that the pitch was a ‘win the toss and bat first’ wicket, making that decision from the comfort of the Tucknott paddling pool some hours before the match started. And with the coin toss called correctly,
Dan Beckell and Ryan Parry opened the batting, looking to be positive from the start. Unfortunately for Dan he was surprised by a straight ball from the opening bowler, falling cheaply.
Kris joined Ryan and the pair put on a fifty partnership for the second wicket. At the 10 over hydration break, the 3’s were 62-1 and looking to maintain the run rate. That’s where the innings came unstuck.
Recognising that Kris and Ryan were comfortable playing shots at wide, full (toss) deliveries, or short (long hops) the AWE skipper made a clever bowling change, taking pace off the ball. Ryan fell for a well-constructed 20, an innings that showed plenty of positive signs and attacking intent.
Kris being joined by ‘I will not be dominated by the bowler’ Jeff WIlliams (in my head that’s what Jeff shouted as he ran at the off spinner, putting him back over his head…..or it may have been shortly after in between overs. It was a hot day after all).
The collapse
Jeff fell for 8, trying not to be dominated by the medium pacer from the other end. Forgetting that Mike de Vos likes to get on with things when batting, Kris’ instructions of ‘no need to swing at the first ball’ fell on deaf ears, although Mike survived edging between legs and stumps.
Kris then failed to get his leg out of the way of an off spinner, falling for 36, with the score at 87-4. Savindu came and went cheaply, Mike was run out following a composed, un-Mike like 17 from 23 balls, and Noah was unfortunate to be bowled off his elbow following a spell dogged resistance.
More Deano heroics
Unfortunately not. Which was a shame, as at the other end Lee Noble was continuing his decent form with the bat. Deano, Ravi and James Middleton all fell to the left arm spinner who gave the ball some serious flight. Lee remaining unbeaten on 22.
A disappointing end (147 all out) to an innings that promised much. Still, the AWE Tadley players had been made to stand in the field for almost 40 overs. So they’d be tired, right?
Only one winner
Nope, not one bit. At least the two openers didn’t seem to be affected by the hot conditions. They started slow and steady, waiting to punish anything short but despite some tight bowling from Ravi, they never looked to be in any trouble. And that remained the case throughout their reply. Noah’s off spin showed promise, the magic arm of Mike failed to pick up any wickets, and neither did James’ leg spin. Savindu bowled with decent pace and better control than he’s had all season, however by this time the two openers were well set. The 3’s being soundly beaten by 10 wickets, in only 27 overs.
The one positive….not having to stand in the field for 40 overs. Small victories and all that. And with that the one match winning streak comes to an end. On we go……