3s Match Report - (A) vs Ashford Hill - 10/05/25

Game 2 and a trip to Ashford Hill awaited the 3s, looking to build upon a strong pre season and last weekend’s 4-wicket win vs Donnington. As ever with the 3s, there are often a number of changes week to week, so we welcomed back Henry Schooling, Andy Clouting & Charlie Terry, in addition to a returning Dan Warna - great to see him back in O’s colours. In line with each of the games so far this season, we also issued a 3s debut to a youngster, this time Corbyn (Downham Jr) who impressed last week with Sean at LS and had knocked over most of the 3s top order in winter nets. That meant a lineup of 3x ‘dads & lads’ duos, as the Schooling’s, Downham’s and Terry’s were all represented. Cults also joined the 3s this week, but for a stint of umpiring as he recovers from his knee injury - massive thank you Cults for coming down! AH also had their own umpire, so uniquely we had 2 umpires for a 3s game.

Ashford Hill’s ground is notorious for two trees inside the boundary (with a below/above the line local rules), and an protruding hedge-line creating a rather short midwicket boundary - more on that later. After some late night stat-badgering from the skipper, the team was briefed on our approach with either discipline - Safi lost the toss (for the first time this year), and the O’s were sent into bat in glorious sunshine. Note to readers - once the frog-boxes are back up and running, these match reports will be a bit shorter as you’ll all have video to accompany my essays! In the meantime - enjoy this ‘long form journalism’.

1st Innings:

Nick Bryant & Henry S opened up, and it didn’t take long to see that the pitch was playing true and the outfield was lightning fast. The famed ‘Bryant-cut’ was in action early, carving one away to the cover point fence - the longer boundary I might add, but it went so quickly, you wouldn’t have known it. Henry also found the fence early with a nice clip, before scoring a lesser-spotted five, as a quick single forced a wild throw that flew past all fielders to the boundary. The AH opening bowlers weren’t giving much away - Henry was then wrapped on pad and was adjudged LBW for 11, bringing his dad to the crease. Nick B found that cut shot again and looked in good touch, building on his 55 vs Donnington - after smoking another to the fence, the same shot was to be his downfall, as a superb one-handed grab at point saw Nick (16) head back to the pavilion. The skipper joined Liam Schooling at the crease with the score at 27-2 (8.5 overs), and both knew the value of building a platform for the deep batting lineup the 3s had.

Safi made use of the quick outfield first ball, punching an on-drive for 4 - Lizo followed suit the following over, with a glorious cover drive and a cut shot of his own. The AH skipper and teammates were making plenty of noise in the field, particularly during the skipper’s spell with the new ball - they were bowling tightly but the outfield was so quick, if a gap was hit, it was probably 4. Safi joined in the ‘cut-party’ flashing one past point to the short side, before flicking the next ball, to the opposite boundary for another 4. From the other end, Safi was clearly favouring the short cow-corner boundary, and with the AH skipper Peters bowling round the wicket and packing fielders in that area, it seemed something was going to happen. Safi drove another through one of the fielders, as his opposite number entered the final over of his spell. It was time for some theatre. About 2 mins of ball shining, a conference call and three aborted attempts to bowl his penultimate delivery - Safi’s patience was being tested, as the AH skipper tried everything to manufacture a wicket. He finally ran into bowl, and found the edge - luckily for Safi, the keeper spilled the chance, with the O’s skipper being given a life on 24.

Many deep breaths were had, but Lizo and Safi got their heads down again and continued to build - Lizo & Safi have batted plenty together over the past few years, and ran well between the wickets, whilst also each finding the fence to build productive overs. Both continued to make use of the lightning outfield, driving the ball well straight and finding the gaps - they reached 97-2 at drinks, with the pre-innings target of 200 looking to be upped with the foundations laid. Usually after drinks, batters might be a touch circumspect - not here though, as Lizo nailed a cover drive to the fence, bisecting the two trees that were inside the boundary (should be double runs IMO!), setting the tone for the carnage that was to follow. Safi crunched a waist high no ball for 4 that almost took Cults’ head off, as the oppo started to grow frustrated at this partnership. This only worsened as Safi gave his second chance - spooning the ball into the sun, and as cover came around to the ball, the skipper thought his day was done. Alas, he was handed a third life on 48 - to compound the misery, Safi reached his 50 just 3 balls later, as the O’s put the foot down.

With at least one boundary an over, the rate continued to climb - Lizo playing ‘proper shots’, whilst Safi seemed to forget any semblance of technique post 50 and just tried to ‘moo’ everything. Lizo did find the midwicket fence once himself, slog sweeping the returning opening bowler for 4. Lizo did give one chance to mid-on that was also shelled, but otherwise looked at his impenetrable best. AH were chopping and changing bowlers but nothing could stem the flow of runs - with all of the batting to come in mind, Lizo told Safi to ‘put the foot down’, in spite of his skipper ‘hoicking’ at nearly every ball. Safi gave another chance at some point but I can’t remember how or when - it was some point between 60-80. The oppo heads had dropped as the O’s pushed on, with much time spent trying to fish the ball out of the hedge line - Lizo himself reached a fantastic 50 in the 30th over with a brace of boundaries. Safi flat batted a six to take him into the nervous 90s… alas it wasn’t that nervy as he was gone next ball (94 - 68 balls, 16x 4s, 1x 6), edging behind for some classic jug avoidance, ending the 166-run partnership. Dan’s (0) stay was unfortunately brief, as the bowler, found a perfect leg-stump yorker first up - Andy (0) only lasted an additional two balls, before being potentially harshly adjudged LBW. The O’s had slipped from 193-2 to 193-5 in the space of an over, but with 8 overs to go, they were still on for a big total.

Enter Ed Terry - if you read last week’s match report, you’ll know that Ed plays one way, and he did just that…and some. Any potential nerves after the mini collapse were calmed as Ed smacked his 2nd and 3rd balls for 4. Lizo played the perfect foil, knocking singles at every opportunity to get Ed on strike and boy did he make the most of it. Square leg, midwicket, long on, long off & cover were all on the fence but it didn’t matter, as Ed carted the ball to all parts - It was blink and you’ll miss it stuff. The author wishes he could recount more of Ed’s knock, but a quick trip to the men’s room meant the skipper missed Ed going from 10 to 38! The pick of Ed’s shots was an absolutely huge straight six that cleared the hedge by a mile, taking Ed to 50 and required a new ball after a long search. Ed finally fell for a frankly ridiculous 60 off just 26 balls (8x 4s, 3x 6s), leaving Greg Pickett and Lizo to tick over for the remaining few balls, with the O’s reaching an imposing 271-6 off their 40 overs. Lizo finished on an unbeaten 65* (92 balls, 10x 4s), and absolutely perfect knock to build the innings and allow Safi & Ed to swing the willow at the other end.
Ashford Hill very kindly put on tea’s for us after asking if we’d be doing so in the reverse fixture - the good word of our teas are spreading! After a longer than anticipated tea break, the O’s were raring to go in the field, knowing we had a big score on the board. There was no room for complacency though, with a clear intention to remain ahead of the game for the duration.

2nd Innings:

Paul Downham & Charlie T took the new ball, as the O’s attacked early doors. Both were metronomic in their line & length, giving absolutely nothing away to a batting lineup that had to be aggressive. Charlie got the breakthrough, as a cut shot found the grateful hands of his son Ed, who safely pouched the catch at point - pre game, Ed was recounting the fact that he was 0/2 for catches this season, to which the skipper reminded Ed that he was 1/4 himself - not something to brag about but all in the name of making your teammates feel better! Good ring fielding and superb new ball bowling from both Paul & Charlie kept AH to 22-1 after 10 overs, with the game firmly in the O’s grasp - Paul D again bowled a superb opening spell without reward - one day he shall get a deserved wicket with the new ball!

Corbyn followed his dad from the far end, and immediately showed his pace, hitting Dan’s gloves hard. AH were showing limited intent in this opening phase, as the chase seemed out of reach, but take nothing away from our bowlers, including Ed who followed his dad from the the pavilion end. Both youngsters (Ed is a teenager so he counts), bowled with great control and beat the bat multiple times with their pace and movement, keeping the batters in check. Andy C & Dan both were earning their match fees after their blobs with the bat, with Andy fielding superbly at mid-on, protecting the short boundary and wearing a few to maintain the pressure - Dan too impressed behind the sticks, with some great takes and quick hands - great to see after the best part of a year out. AH reached 72-1 at drinks, requiring 10 an over for the second half of the innings.

Club chair Nick B joined the attack with his miserly-medos, as AH looked to up the ante post drinks. It was however the ‘part-time wicket-keeper’ (thanks H for that) Greg (1-19) who got the breakthrough. Greg is the ultimate team man for the 3s, having batted pretty much anywhere between 1-9, opened the batting, opened the bowling and of course excelling behind the stumps. This time it was his turn with the ball, as first up he bowled a good length outside off stump with the AH No.3 carving it straight to Safi at deep point - not your typical catching position for a wicket but it worked. The pace of the game certainly increased from this point, as the AH opener Brown played some lovely shots and proved that this was still an excellent batting track. Nick B got his first in unusual circumstances - a certain injury in training (sorry Dave) had given Nick renewed confidence in the pace of his bowling, only for the AH No.4 to audaciously switch hit him! However it led to a wicket, as Ed ‘can’t keep him out of the game’ Terry anticipated superbly, moving to his left, before diving one handed to his right to take a fantastic catch.

AH were now trying to get on with it, as Charlie Terry (1-41) returned to the attack to finish his 8 over spell - it wasn’t long however before Nick (2-23) got his second. Nick seemingly forgot he was bowling to a left hander, straying past leg stump for the first 3 balls of the over, keeping Dan on his toes - it was seemingly however, all part of the plan, as Nick fired an (equally) wide delivery on the offside that the batter got in an almighty tangle to, leaving Dan’s lightning fast hands to stump the No. 5 bat - one the team enjoyed for sure (122-4). With the game safe, the O’s looked to attack in an attempt to get maximum points - Corbyn returned, as AH opener Brown opened his arms and found the fence with some lovely stroke play, before eventually falling to the returning Ed with a rising delivery that took the edge, and Dan safely pouching behind.

Then the moment he has waited for - Corbyn, bowling absolute wheels with the sun behind him, got his first senior league wicket. With the skipper telling Paul, who was standing at mid-off, that he was coming on next over, Corbyn raced in and the No. 6 bat crunched a ball straight to Paul - as if time stood still, Paul looked up and thankfully reacted quickly to take a smart catch. Corbyn wheeled away in celebration, giving his dad a big hug (dare I consider what would have happened if Paul had dropped it), and giving a big double fist-pump - apparently Corbyn had planned the ‘Brett Lee Chainsaw’ celebration for his first league wicket - I’m sure he’ll get plenty opportunities to do that one. One of my favourite all time Odiham moments that, and one that the Downham’s I’m sure will never forget. Corbyn (1-35) finished up his spell having bowled with excellent control, often with a 7-2 field, with a short leg side boundary - top job Corbo!

It was all out attack in the closing overs, as Paul (2-18) was back on for some bunny hunting (his words, not mine). He finally got his reward with a beautiful in swinger getting the left-handed No.8 LBW, before taking another, as Ed took his third catch of the day, this time at mid on, as the O’s got AH 8-down and gained another bowling point. Ed (2-37) took his second, knocking back the off stump of the No. 10 bat, rounding off a superb all round performance from the young man. The final over was to be bowled by Paul, and the O’s were in tight in their hunt for the final wicket and bonus point. After beating the bat (again), Paul shelled a very tough caught and bowled chance that was flat batted back to him - for the final ball, it was time for the O’s skipper to bring some theatre of his own. Taking his time, Safi moved Andy C from square leg to 2nd slip (bearing in mind not a single ball had gone through there all day). Low and behold, the final delivery was edged, perfectly to Andy - the ball seemed to pop in, but agonisingly popped out, with AH finishing on 179-9 after their 40 overs.

A 92 run win meaning the 3s have made it two wins out of two to start the season. Another fantastic team performance, with bat, ball and in the field - superb concentration, noise and intensity across our fielding effort was particularly pleasing given the game state.

MOTM: Ed Terry - 7-0-37-2, 3 catches and a stunning 60 off just 26 balls. Proper cricketer.

Next week we are back at Long Sutton, hosting Old Basing.