3 XI Vs Harpenden XI ( Away )

Weather this week was rather changeable so after winning the toss, and rain forecasted for later in the day, we had a bowl at the current league leaders.

We completed 50% of the job today by bowling and fielding very well, ground fielding was tight and those catches you have to take, were clung onto ! Although the outfield was longer than both teams would have liked, on a decent track before it rained, we restricted Harpenden to minimal runs with Zac Scott and Rob Dunn opening the bowling. Pick of today's bowing figures were Zac's 9 overs 2 MDNS 1 for 20, Rob's 10 overs 2 MDNS 3 for 24 and Jonathan Smith with 3.1 overs, 3 for 17 ( which leaves Jonathan as leading club wicket taker for the moment ) We were then weather affected and following a heavy shower, the pitch slowed and both bowlers and batsmen had to contend with a very wet pitch ! We fared better early on, and following some more tight bowling from F Raz, Kirit Shah and Steve Moss, we contained the league leaders to 123 all out and 10 points bagged.

After an alfresco tea, we set about the low total confidently, whilst at the same time knowing the pitch was going to be slow and that quick runs were going to be difficult. Both Mike Heavey and Graham got off to a good start getting us into double figures quickly, but unfortunately both then lost their wickets within the first 5 overs, Mike to a very good catch and Graham to a mixture of a shot below his standards, and some bad luck as the ball came back onto the stumps gently knocking a bail off. Rob Jones came in at number 3 and George Whitebread at number 4. George got a little bit of a popper and presented a caught and bowled opportunity, which to be fair the Harpenden bowler took very well adjusting his weight to pluck the ball one handed. Kirit Shah and Rob Jones then came in and for 10 overs steadied the ship and swung some momentum away from the Harpenden. Unfortunately, Kirit then had to retire injured with cramp, and Richard Wells, playing his first game for the 3 XI was unfortunately out first ball plum LBW. This shook us and we couldn't get a foot hold with the bat, and after John Smith was bowled and Raz was caught hooking off his gloves, Rob Dunn came in to bat with Rob Jones, who was still in playing a Geoffrey to try and keep the tide of tumbling wickets to a minimum. Both Rob's dug in but found it increasing more difficult to score as the heavens opened again,and we had to go off twice for heavy rain and some hale, reducing our overs to 45.

Rob J was then caught on 20 driving through the covers, leaving Rob and a returning Kirit Shah to try and see us home. At this point we were 60 for 6. Rob was then bowled and Zac Scott came into bat. Following a running mix up, Zac was then run out which left poor old Mossy to come in and try to stick around with Kirit in order to save the day. At this point, and with a rain affected match, we still had a chance to win the game as long as we could get to 113 runs, and still have a wicket in hand at 45 overs ! We got within 36 runs of this target with Kirit going on to score 21 not out before Mossy was bowled, and so the game was lost and our batting scorecard looked at miserable as the weather with six 0's, leaving us wet, disappointed and contemplating how we had conspired to lose the game from such a strong position, and after such a strong bowling and fielding performance !

Onwards to next week when we're at home to Southgate Compton. More application required with the bat and or first 30 points won't be too far away.