Match Report – 3rds in narrow loss

13 July 2013 – Bramshaw 3rd XI v Langley Manor

by Tom Mason

In the sweltering heat, the 3rds fielded first with T Vane and J Wall opening up and they quickly reduced Langley to 4-2 both picking up a wicket. Despite our excellent start there no 3 & 4 started hitting the ball to all parts at such a small ground. After Jon and Taylor completed their spells it was me at one end and Rich B at the other end neither of us started particularly well and it looked as if they were on for a giant score however we managed to pull it back. I picked up their more aggressive basemen with a double bounce to be caught in the deep by J.Wall. After he got out we picked up wickets quickly whilst reducing the runs with Rich and T.Wall picking up some wickets between them. Heading into the last few overs we were looking to keep it below 230 and try to bowl them out to get the batting points which we got when Taylor bowled their 10&11 in the last two balls meaning they finished on 219 oa.

After the best away tea of the season, Andy and Stew opened up keeping us up to the run rate up until the 10th over when Andy and Stew both got out in quick succession for 24 & 39. With the batting we had to come, we knew that we were definitely in this match. Mike then fell for a duck opening the game up. Jon and Taylor then piled on the runs edging us closer to this competitive target. A while after Taylor fell in the high 30’s? Nigel soon after fell for one nicking one behind (yes he did walk). Kev then hit a four before getting out pretty much leaving it to John to see us home. Jon then took advantage batting well with Rich before Rich got bowled meaning it was down to our lower order. Tom W lasted a while before getting out. We were still about 22 short at this point and John continued to bat well and I just had to try and stay with him which I did. John was then out trying to get a single so that I wasn’t on strike and he was out caught for an excellent 88. I then tried to finish the match in the next over needing 6 to win but only managed to get a single on the last ball leaving 6 to win. I ran a bye but Hannah was unable to see it at the end of the over meaning we lost by 5 runs in a crazy match to be involved in.

A great effort especially in the conditions, bring on another local derby at home to Cadnam next week