The 3s were back at home after 3 successive away games had seen a mixed bag of results, and we were looking to get back to winning ways as we welcomed Ashford Hill. In the reverse fixture, we had piled a monster score before comfortably defending the total, and on another scorching hot Saturday, the 3s looked to do the same, as we welcome back H (Schooling), Isaac and Simmo, whilst also seeing first 3s appearances of the season for Henry Terry and Reece Lane. It was also Gisele’s final weekend playing for the O’s, so we wanted to make this game one to remember!

1st Innings

The skipper won the toss and gleefully chose to bat first - H and Nick opened up and both were quickly into their stride, with Nick driving nicely through the covers for four, whilst H flicked one to fine leg before pumping his 4th ball over mid-off for a one bounce four. H looked at his best as boundaries flowed in the opening overs, and the oppo already making a number of field changes to try to stem the flow. In the 6th over, Nick (7) got a leading edge to one that held slightly in the pitch (a theme of the day), and the ball looped up to short cover who took an easy catch.

Lizo joined H in the middle as both opening bowlers both found their rhythm and kept a lid on the scoring, bowling stump to stump and not giving any loose deliveries. The variable bounce batting at the car park end wasn’t helping either, as the oppo clawed their way back into the game, and that continued with their 1st change bowling. H did find the fence a couple more times but scoring was proving tricky - any boundary was well earned, and it was only some below average ground fielding that would allow the score to tick over.

After a couple more Henry boundaries (including a quality pull shot and beautiful straight drive), Lizo (8) was adjudged LBW as the 3s were 53-2 after 15.2 overs, knowing that a score of 200+ was par. The skipper came to the crease to plenty of chat, knowing that he rode his luck (was dropped 4 times) in the reverse fixture on his way to 94, whilst also realising that the oppo immediately set a challenging field. Second ball, the edge was found and inexplicably the WK shelled a regulation chance, and Safi was gifted a life, as he scampered down the other end to get off the mark.

The oppo skipper R Peters was bowling exceptionally well from the other end, giving nothing away and finding a tricky length that extracted extra bounce from the surface which made run scoring very difficult. It was that extra bounce that soon did for H (39) who couldn’t quite get on top of a delivery and top-edged the ball into the offside and was caught, leaving the 3s wobbling at 57-3 after 18.2 overs. Isaac joined Safi at the crease and got hit in the glove twice in his first 3 balls as the extra bounce was really challenging to start - a flashy drive could only brush the fingertips of 1st slip before racing to the fence, as Isaac got off the mark with a boundary.

The partnership started to build as Isaac and Safi absorbed some pressure, respecting the good bowling, whilst also trying to be proactive and rotate the strike. The heat was starting to take a toll on the fielding side as balls were not being chased with the same intensity as earlier in the innings and more misfields arrived - this led to the first all-run-four of the day, as a late cut from the skipper ran down the hill to the dirt track, and was barely jogged-after by gully, allowing Isaac and Safi to run 4. Both regretted it soon after, as the sun continued to beat down.

Both batters then started to trade boundaries, with Safi hitting a solid off drive, before Isaac crunched the ball through the offside ring as the scoring rate started to rise. Safi hit a nice pull shot off his opposite number before trying to repeat the dose the ball after - like H, the ball bounced a fraction more than expected and found the top-edge - the ball looped up to square leg, who also spilled the chance. That is 6 times that the skipper has been dropped by Ashford Hill this season - they must be sick of the sight of him.

At the second drinks break (24 overs), the 3s were 95-3, and were looking to kick on. Safi's parents had bought a box of ice-lollies which went down a treat with the oppo in the blazing heat - both batters however resisted with a big finish needed. After a couple of watchful overs post drinks, Safi declared that it was time to put the foot on the gas - with some good bowling, the boundary ball wasn’t necessarily coming, so Safi charged the oppo skipper and played an almighty hoick for one, to signal the intent that was to follow. Isaac understood the assignment and then played a glorious pick up shot over wide mid-on for a one-bounce four. Lots of singles and twos followed as the pair tried to pick up the scoring rate.

With 10 overs to go and the score at 123-3, a big finish was required, and the opening bowler S Peters, who had a cracking battle with Safi earlier in the season returned to the attack. Safi greeted him with a swat over point for 4, before charging a bouncer that narrowly missed the skipper’s helmet - the bowler audibly snarled at the skipper, as the battle was on. Safi duly slogged the next ball over cow corner for 6, before charging again and flat batting one straight back down the ground for four more.

Isaac followed with some lovely placement and excellent running, with 3 consecutive 2s, followed by a 3 leaving the skipper completely out of breath, but knowing that the fielding side were flagging more than the two batters. The skipper hit another boundary to bring up his 50, before smashing two more off S Peters as the runs were flowing. The bowler had the last laugh as Safi (58 off 39 balls, 10x 4s, 1x 6) tried to repeat the dose but was bowled, bringing to and end an excellent partnership of 104, that had setup a strong total for the 3s (161-4 after 32.4 overs).

Henry Terry came in at no.6 in an attempt to repeat his brother’s regular heroics in that same position earlier in the season. When Henry crunched his third ball for 4, spectators may not have known the difference! Isaac continued to manipulate the ball superbly and showed immense stamina to continue to run the oppo ragged, with plenty of 2s and 3s helping to turn decent overs into great overs, whilst also bringing up his maiden senior 50 in the process. Henry T (7) was caught trying to hit the ball into next week, which brought Gisele to the crease, fresh off the back of her excellent 66 last week vs Donnington.

After another superb piece of timing from Isaac got him another boundary, it was time for Gisele to get into the act, as she peppered both the offside and legside fences, whilst also scoring the 2nd all-run-four of the day, in almost identical fashion to earlier. As the innings drew to a close, Isaac continued to show his skills belting another boundary down the ground, before launching an almighty six over midwicket to the longest boundary, that almost took out his dad who was taking cover under a tree! Isaac was dismissed next ball to fall for a magnificent 75 (off 70 balls, 8x 4s & 1x 6), a superb knock that showed excellent concentration and composure, initially absorbing pressure, before flying through the gears to a big finish. Speaking of big finishes, Alfie only faced three balls, but clipped his second over square leg for four, before launching a cracking six over long on.

A brilliant last 10 overs saw the 3s score 111 runs, taking them to a strong score of 234/6 from their 40 overs. Contributions across the board, headlined by Isaac’s 75, allowed the team to tuck into teas with a smile. Teas this week had been made by Nick B and Safi’s parents which ensured the skipper copped a fair bit of slack for not chipping in himself (skipper’s privilege I guess?).

2nd Innings

Henry Terry and Gisele took the new ball as the 3s hunted early wickets. Hattrick-Henry had made a real splash in the 3s last year, taking two hat tricks in just six appearances, and immediately showed he’d added a yard of pace. He’d actually castled Safi first ball in the pre match net - welcome back Henry. Greg was taking the ball at head height as the ball flew through to the keeper. Gisele bowled nicely from the start at the car park end, as the opening batters seem to sway between a forward defence and an almighty drive. Numerous play and misses, and/or bats jamming down to just keep the ball out, both bowlers were on the money and it felt like a matter of time before a wicket was to fall.

It was indeed Henry T who struck first, after bowling nice channels to start, he arrowed in on the stumped and broke through the openers defences. After another metronomic over from Gisele, Henry struck again, simply beating the no.3 for pace as a beauty nipped in and hit the top of middle stump leaving the oppo 21-2 off 9 overs, and Henry’s opening spell reading as 5-1-6-2 - a serious spell.

Alas Henry can’t bowl all day (damn ECB Fast-Bowling Regulations for Juniors), so it was time for Alf and Simmo to come into the attack. Both bowled beautifully from the off, and backed up their opening bowlers. Alf was unlucky to concede a few early boundaries, as edges between slip and gully, and between keeper and slip, saw the oppo streakily get the scoreboard moving. Some excellent ground fielding from Laney, Nick, Isaac and H (Schooling), meant that singles were few and far between, and the 3s continued to apply the pressure.

An in-out field meant that boundaries were hard to come by for the oppo, and with Simmo varying his pace on a pitch that was doing a bit, and Alfie bowling superb areas, pressure was building, but the opener Freeman stood firm, determined not to give his wicket away. The skipper even started to bring some of the boundaries riders up, to tempt the batters into a big shot which almost bought a wicket but the ball just seemed to evade our fielders.

At the halfway stage, the oppo were 68-2 and frankly going nowhere, as Laney had replaced Alf to try some spin from both ends. It was however Simmo that made the breakthrough, tightening his line and firing a quicker ball through the No.4’s defences. The oppo no. 5 made his intentions immediately clear, slogging his second ball wide of long on for 4, and following up with two equally powerful strokes the following over. He was striking it cleanly and despite our strong position, the team knew he was the key wicket.

In Simmo’s penultimate over, after a three dot balls had built some pressure, the No.5 middled a ball straight down the ground, which was seemingly heading for a flat six over the short straight boundary - enter into frame Isaac, who made good ground before diving to his left to take a sensational catch (certainly the best of the 3s season so far), and reduce the oppo to 88-4 (after 22.4 overs). The batter simply could not believe it, and took an age to walk off the field, but he was out and the 3’s were jubilant.

From the other end, Laney was into his rhythm quickly too, also beating the bat on multiple occasions, deceiving the batters in flight. Simmo (2-27) finished off his excellent 8-over spell, before Laney got in the act - the opener Freeman, who had resisted for 25 overs, finally played a shot in anger but Laney was quick to react and took a sharp caught and bowled, low to his left. Alf came back on replacing Simmo and struck with his third ball, hitting the top of middle stump to leave the oppo 6-down, before Laney made it three wickets in three overs as he also found the timbers.

The 3s had run riot, taking 4 wickets for just 7 runs, leaving the oppo 95-7 after 28 overs, as the much needed team bowling performance was coming to be on what continued to be a very hot afternoon. Both Alf (1-28) and Laney (2-33) have played a lot of cricket together over the years and bowled brilliantly in tandem to finish their respective spells for the day.

It was then time for Henry and Gisele to return in an attempt to wrap things up. The AH tail did throw some counter punches, swinging hard at any width, and with the pace that Henry bowls, the ball flew away for a series of boundaries. Henry did pick up his third as the ball was lobbed up to Alf at mid on (with the ball prior narrowly missing Alf) - the batter exclaimed in disgust, just as Alf was settling under the ball. A distraction technique? Maybe, but it didn’t matter as Alf safely pouched it (127-8), with just two more wickets for the 3s to get max points.

The oppo skipper went down fighting with his number 10, as both batters slashed a few more boundaries over the ring, as we started to wonder why he was batting so low down! Henry (4-32) had the last laugh, as he castled the oppo skipper, which left Gisele (1-17) to take the final wicket with a beauty, a fitting end to her Saturday season at Odiham. Ashford Hill were bowled out for 151, with the 3s winning by 83 runs.

Wrap Up

The most complete team performance of the season so far - a strong batting performance, with a solid platform enabling us to kick on, especially in the last 10 overs to set a strong total. This was backed up by a superb bowling and fielding performance with all 5 bowlers getting in on the wickets, with some real penetration through both pace and spin. A great way to celebrate Gisele's contributions to the team - we will miss your dearly Gisele!

POTM: Isaac Bent - 75 off 70 balls (8x 4s, 1x 6s), an innings of real maturity, showing how batters can absorb pressure before moving through the gears to help the team post a great total - oh, and a magnificent catch at long off to start the oppo’s batting collapse.

I appreciate this match report is a week late - life got in the way! Our game vs Old Basing on Saturday was rained off, but next we host AWE Tadley, in what will likely be a slightly different looking 3s side due to the shuffle of the 1st XI Skipper’s wedding! Plenty of talent on hand, let’s bring it on!