3s Cup Run Continues

After much debate, discussion, disagreement and delay the decision was made to keep the game on and so Haxey 2nds visited the Barracks.
The ground was slightly damp so initially a delayed start looked likely until the umpires gave the go ahead to do the toss and start on time. It was obvious who was most keen to get the game on, however! We would continue as long as there was no incident due to the wet outfield. This dried out very quickly so concerns did not last too long.

We won the toss and decided to bowl first.
Picko and Sam Nuttall opened the bowling and Picko struck early with the score on eight. The number three seemed intent on continuing his battle with Picko (following earlier disagreements on the game taking place throughout the morning) which meant the ball traveled to the leg side boundary on numerous occasions. After a swift 30 he skied one from Sam Nuttall and was caught in the leg side (no surprises there!) by Owen Sheriff. Picko then claimed the other opener to leave the score 47-3. Anton bowled a very tidy 0-11 from six overs before Brett and Kafait came on to claim two wickets a piece to take the score from 84-4 to 103-8. The final wicket of the 10 man innings was claimed by Sam as he returned at the end of the innings. Haxey, effectively 105 all out.

Beggers and Prendergast resumed their opening batting partnership after a few weeks apart and the latter (returning from a calf injury) also resumed his favourite mode of dismissal - LBW again! Considering he could barely walk two weeks ago it was great to have him back in the team. Kafait came and went for two as the exiles stuttered at 12-2 in the fifth over. Picko joined Beggers and knowing the storms were surrounding the ground, swiftly ensured the run rate was constant in the event the game fell to average rates. An important partnership took place until Picko fell for 22 with the score on 51 in the 15th over. Beggers continued to find the boundary to keep the scoring rate up against the opposition spinners until he found mid off to fall for 28. Martin, having made 10, fell soon after leaving the score 77-5 at the beginning of the 19th over. It was down to the two debutants David Jerman and Owen Sheriff to rebuild with 29 runs still required for victory. The clouds seemingly lifted and there was no threat of rain for the time being.

The partnership was starting to take shape until David was bowled. 89-6 now the score. Owen took the lead role in the remainder of the chase and after Sam and Anton provided good supporting roles the score was 104-7. The 27th over was eventful as first Anton was bowled going for the winning shot and, after defending a few, Sean tried to take a quick single at the end but was sent back by Owen. Unfortunately he was stranded and the run out completed. Now it was 104-7. Brett joined Sheriff but it was Sheriff to face the next delivery as we begun the 28th over. Unfazed by the wickets falling around him, Owen struck this sweetly past mid-off for four and that was the winning runs! A brilliant 24 not out for Owen.

A long interesting day with a close match, ending in a narrow win for the 3s making them two from two in the cup group stage. Next week we travel to Messingham for the decider as they have also won both their games. Top goes through to the semis so a quarter final showdown it is!

Report by Matthew Brett