The 3s were back at Long Sutton for the final time this season, entering GW16 knowing that a win against relegation-threatened rivals St Mary's Bourne would take them one step closer to securing survival in the incredibly competitive HCL Div 4C. After some reasonable continuity over the past 3 weeks, it was a return to normal service for the 3s with 5 changes to the lineup - returns for Nick Bryant and Ash Singh, debuts for Joe VDF and Shiv Panigrahi, and an exciting return from injury for Alfie Hellings, who had played a huge role in last season's success. Welcome back Alf.

The reverse fixture at St Mary's Bourne was a tough outing - we didn't get past 150 and their opener A Smith thrashed the ball to all parts to comfortably chase the target. With the importance of the game known to all, Safi (yet again) lost the toss, as SMB elected to bat on a surface in its 3rd week at Long Sutton that had held up nicely in each game.

1st Innings

Harry Clothier took the first over, with the plan to A Smith crystal clear from ball one - boundary riders protecting against his favoured shots, immediately described as 'boring' by the batter, though certainly a sign of respect given the volume of runs he'd scored this season. The last ball of the first over was hit firmly but just out of Ash's reach at mid on, as we knew the batter would be positive at every opportunity.

Gisele opened from the other end as usual and was on the money, with Ash stopping a surefire boundary with an incredible diving stop at mid on, before doing similar the following over - Ash had already earned his match fee. A Smith rode his luck with a couple of streaky boundaries off the inside edge, before Gisele beat the outside edge on consecutive deliveries with great hands from Freddie C behind the sticks. G eventually got the crucial wicket of A Smith, pinning him in front LBW for just 13 - a huge breakthrough in the context of the game (24/1 from 5.2 overs). The other opener Hutchins started to up the tempo with back to back boundaries off Harry, whose workload was being managed on recovery from injury. Some excellent ground fielding continued to build pressure as SMB reached 35/1 from 8 overs.

A good first 8 overs for the 3s, getting rid of the danger man whilst keeping a lid on the scoring. Unfortunately the next 8 were quite the opposite, as the wheels very nearly came off the 3s season. Joe VDF, making his first 3s appearance of the season, struggled to find his line and length with a series of extras, a rough bounce seeing the ball scuttle for 4 byes as Freddie could do nothing. We know what Joe (0-18) is capable of, but today just wasn't his day.

The over eventually went for 22 as SMB sensed the moment to attack. G found a leading edge from Hutchins but it fell short and span away for two, a misfield led to 2 more, there was a missed runout chance, before Hutchins planted the next ball for 6 and swatted another to the midwicket fence for 4. Ash came on to stem the tide and almost got the breakthrough immediately, the ball smashed to long on where Joe got a hand to it but couldn't hold on - in the process he took a nasty whack on the thumb that swelled up significantly. Joe was an absolute trooper and stayed on the field for the rest of the innings providing some crucial stops throughout.

The momentum was firmly with the batting side - edges narrowly missing stumps, catches falling just short, another missed runout as the skipper threw to the wrong end, with Shiv kept busy charging from side to side at deep cover. Ash got a good hand to a lofted drive at long on but could only tip it over the bar for 6. At drinks with SMB at 99/1, heads were a little scrambled - we knew we'd let our standards slip and were facing the prospect of chasing a huge score in a crunch game.

We reset and came out refreshed, with a clear understanding that the next 15 overs could well dictate the fate of our season. Shiv's leggies replaced G from the horsefield end, but the frustration continued - his first ball dipped and found the inside edge of Hutchins, somehow missed leg stump and raced away for 4, bringing up the batter's 50. Shiv's 5th ball turned sharply past Freddie for 4 byes, before yet another inside edge raced away for 4 more.

Hands on head, the skipper could only smile in conversation with Lizo, as SMB were 114/1 from 16 overs and the 3s were arguably staring down the barrel. However this second half of the season has shown the 3s' immense resilience, and it was on show yet again - Ash broke the door open, bowling Hutchins through the gate to end a 90-run partnership in just 11 overs (114/2 from 16.3 overs). The no.3 E Ahl continued to be positive with a couple more boundaries, but Ash and Shiv started to turn the screw as the 3s lifted their intensity and energy in the field. Alf stopped a surefire 4, conceding just 1 as he sprinted from long off, whilst Joe let nothing past at point. Only a handful of singles followed as the squeeze was firmly on, with Ash & Shiv bowling beautifully in tandem.

In the 24th over, a huge LBW appeal against no.4 B White was turned down, before Shiv got the prized wicket of E Ahl who chopped on (141/3 from 24 overs) — a wicket brought about by excellent bowling and a barely moving scoreboard. Ash followed with another maiden, before the no.5 'MVG' showcased his power with a flick behind square for 4 and a glorious pickup shot for 6, as Ash finished his excellent spell (1-37) having helped claw back the momentum.

It wasn't long before Shiv struck again - MVG launched one into the Long Sutton sky, seemingly heading for 6 over midwicket, but cool as a cucumber at cow corner was Harry C, who barely moved before safely taking the catch as the ball travelled back from orbit (153/4 from 27.1 overs). Needing to find some overs with Joe's injury, the skipper brought himself on before drinks and managed to bowl a maiden, much to everyone's surprise. At 161/4 from 30 overs, the previous 14 overs had yielded just 47 runs and 3 crucial wickets. Alfie bowled the first over post drinks on his return and settled in nicely after a floaty no ball to start. Shiv (2-38) finished his spell with another tidy over that almost brought a wicket — he'd bowled superbly on debut whilst also putting in a serious shift at deep cover. Well done Shiv. G returned and struck almost immediately, trapping the no.6 plumb in front (170/5 from 33.3 overs), as the 3s seized the initiative after a tough start.

With the skipper returning from the tennis court end, Alf switched ends and was in great rhythm, varying his pace and keeping no.4 White quiet, who was arguably heaping pressure on his batting partners. That pressure told as a remarkably risky single from White completely barbecued his teammate Covell, as Alf threw to Freddie to do the rest (208/6 from 39.4 overs). SMB found a couple of boundaries off Safi (0-21) before Alf found the edge of the no.8 with a slower ball and Freddie took a good catch coming forward (225/7 from 41.2 overs). Harry returned to bowl the final two overs and picked up his first wicket as the ball was hit high to long off and Alf typically made a tough catch look easy (234/8 from 43 overs). Alf (1-31) and Harry (1-29) completed the innings as SMB finished on 244/8 - the 3s would certainly have taken that score just a couple of hours prior.

2nd Innings

Teas were devoured by both sides (thank you to the Clothiers for Tea duty for the final time this season!), as the 3s got ready for what would need to be a record breaking chase for an OGCC 3rd XI. Nick B and Oli B opened up on a pitch not showing many demons. Nick was quickly off the mark with a single into the legside, but Oli (0) tried to play a similar shot to a ball that shaped away, found a leading edge and chipped to mid off who made good ground to take the catch (1/1 from 0.5 overs).

A far from ideal start, as Lizo joined Nick in the middle, looking to steady the ship. Both opening bowlers were extracting movement in the air and off the surface, making scoring difficult. Lizo was off the mark with a cut to deep point, before Nick found the first boundary pulling one behind square. The SMB bowlers kept things incredibly tight as the run rate crept up - pre-chase targets were set at circa 60 from 15 overs and 150 from 30, so at 18/1 from 8 overs we needed to up the rate.

Nick answered the call, hitting a trio of boundaries - driving through covers, then square, before his signature cut shot for 4 more. Both batters rotated the strike well before a change of bowling brought Lizo his first boundaries, flicking down the hill to deep square then hitting a lovely straight drive over mid on. The 15th over brought 17 runs as the pair motored, with Nick playing (extremely) late to guide one to third man for 4, before punishing a short delivery for 4 more - taking the 3s to 65/1 at drinks, well placed with wickets in hand. Nick hit a boundary straight after drinks before going to a lovely 50 with a cracking straight drive in the 17th. The partnership was flourishing before it came to an end as Lizo (21) guided one to first slip who took an excellent grab (80/2 from 17.3 overs). The platform was set — now time for the engine room.

Harry C joined Nick and it was almost two quick wickets immediately, as Nick was incredibly close to chopping on before spooning one just short of point — and breathe. The pair ran brilliantly between the wickets, pushing regular 2s as SMB looked to dry up the boundaries with the change in bowling. Harry was off the mark with a 2 to deep backward square, with the required run rate hovering just over 6. Harry's first boundary was slightly fortuitous, as the ball leapt off a length, found the edge and flew between keeper and 2nd slip to 3rd man for 4. That aside, Harry was looking increasingly assured and threatening the big score his recent cameos had been building towards, before Nick took one on the forearm and required some ice. It didn't seem to affect him much as the very next ball Nick cut away for 4 - trademark.

Nick moved into the 70s punishing a full toss behind square, as opposition skipper J King bowled a bag of liquorice all sorts - short balls, full tosses, but also some absolute 'jaffas'. Two balls later he produced the latter - an absolute snorter that nipped back up the hill and clipped the top of middle stump, near enough unplayable. Nick (71 off 68 balls, 10x 4s) had played a great knock, getting us to just under halfway to the target (110/3 from 23.5 overs).

Safi walked out to a bit of chirp having played quite the scratchy knock in the reverse fixture, keen to keep the scoreboard ticking with the required rate at 6.4. He was off the mark with a flick for one before a huge slice of luck - a full swinging delivery was driven to extra cover who took a good catch, only for Lizo (freshly installed as standing umpire) to call a front foot no-ball. One of the oppo was heard saying 'that's the best captaincy I've seen all season.' The skipper was relieved but still shaky with a play and miss and a top edge over the keeper for 4 later in the same over, before finally finding his middle with a tidy on drive.

A boundary an over plus good running was the conversation in the middle, and the pair delivered just that through to the second drinks break at 155/3 - right on track. Safi found his via a trademark sweep, Harry guided a 3 behind point then 4 in front of it. Post drinks, the off spin of A Smith was turning sharply and looked the main threat, so getting through his spell would be crucial. Both Harry and Safi had mini-scares against the spin but survived and kept running hard. Proceedings were more serene against the seamers, with another boundary each in the 32nd over including a sumptuous cover drive from Harry.

Remember what I said about the off spinner being the main threat? Well the skipper ignored his own advice, with a complete brain fade, dancing down the track before playing a confused sweep, bowled for 31 and screaming in anguish (172/4 from 32.2 overs). As Alf jogged to the middle, the run rate had dropped below 6, but building another partnership was crucial - Alf was sent up the order for his notorious hard running, with boundary riders present making 2s critical, and he duly got off the mark with a scampered 2.Harry was making good progress at the other end, with some glorious late cuts, and playing without risk. Alf ran 3 consecutive 2s in the 35th over, picking gaps and sprinting - the 3rd a little fortuitous with a top edge landing between short third man and short fine leg, but Alf still comfortably made his ground. He found his first boundary flicking behind square before a couple more singles brought the target within 50.

There were 43 runs needed with 7 overs to go, before Alf played a pick up shot over midwicket for 4 and the 3s were firmly in control. Not wanting to leave things late, Harry put his foot down and went to 50 in glorious fashion with a flat six over long on, raising his bat to his teammates and dad (thanks Alex for scoring!) to deserved applause for an incredibly mature knock. There was a near 'Ben Stokes vs NZ' moment as Harry hit back to the bowler, who threw at the stumps as H turned for his crease, the ball deflecting off his bat and running to third man - Alf & H sportingly retracted the run that had been scored. The oppo returned the favour first ball of the 42nd over as mid on stuck out a boot to stop the ball, only to side foot it past long off for an accidental boundary - an amusing village cricket moment, with only 19 runs needed and just under 4 overs to go.

Harry then finished it in style - a huge 6 over midwicket, a cover drive for 4, then another glorious 6 over wide long on to seal the win. Harry finished on 73*, with an unbeaten partnership of 74 with Alfie (32*), as the 3s won by 6 wickets.

Wrap Up

A record breaking chase for an OGCC 3rd XI, timed to perfection. Even after an early setback, a solid platform was laid by Nick and Lizo, including an excellent 71 from our club chairman, before Harry took centre stage with a magnificent 73*. Positive partnerships with Safi & Alf helped keep things ticking before H finished it with a flourish. In the field, we clawed back from a perilous position through improved fielding and superb partnership bowling from Ash and Shiv - keeping the score under 260 was massive, and it proved so in the chase.

POTM: Harry Clothier - 73* off 78 balls (5x 4s, 3x 6s) & 6-0-29-1 & 1x catch. The author is running out of superlatives to describe Harry's all round performance, an excellent 6 overs including 2x at the death, before his best knock in an Odiham shirt. Having scored his first senior 50 last year in the 3s, Harry had played a series of nice cameos this season without quite converting. On Saturday he took responsibility, was patient, then put his foot down at the perfect moment - for one of our juniors to marshall a chase, under pressure, in a big game for the team, was just fantastic to see. Very well done Harry!

A huge win in the context of our season, making it 3 wins out of 4, and back to back successful chases at home - we have turned our season around. Safety is in our hands and 23 points is the magic number - win one of our remaining two games and we will be safe, no matter the other results. We'd love to secure safety next Saturday as we travel to Ramsdell, the site of quite the game last year. It is also my penultimate game as 3rd XI skipper - it's been an absolute pleasure to lead this team over the past two seasons, and I would love to go out on a high. See you then.