3's start with a defeat

The first game of the season was against Stevenage V away at St Christopher's School, Letchworth. A very nice setting for our opening game of the season.

The skipper lost the toss and the Village were asked to field, although I would have put them into bat anyway.

George Leggett (3-38) and Chalky Cara (3-27) opened the bowling and bowled nicely restricting Stevenage to 63-5, with Afshin Yadzi (1-41) also picking up a wicket. Stevenage's number 5 batsman had stayed in and accumulated 47 runs before being run out by a good bit of fielding from Graham Leggett. Dave Knight (0-25), George Downes (0-8), James Thompson (0-25) and Graham Leggett (0-21) all bowled but the good start could not be seized upon. Stevenage's number 7 & 9 both contributing 30's at the end of the innings to reach 200-8 off their 45 overs.

The Village started their innings solidly with openers Piers Jenkins and George Downes remaining at the crease until the 12th over although the run rate was rather slow. Piers Jenkins (13) was first to go trying to up the run rate. George Downes (18) followed shortly after trapped LBW. Rangan Krishnaswamy (16) also started nicely and was joined by James Thompson (1) who departed shortly after toeing one to mid wicket. Graham Leggett (18) came in and the run rate started to increase but he was soon out caught behind. Lawrence Bird (14) joined Rangan at the crease but ran him out looking for a 2nd run. Farzan Dulker Nain (15) then came to the crease at 90-5 and there were signs of a fight back but both himself and Lawrence were caught leaving the Village 107-7. Afshin Yadzi (0) then Dave Knight (0) quickly followed leaving George Leggett (1*) and Chalky Cara (14) at the crease. After a few lusty blows from Chalky to pick up 3 quick boundaries he was bowled and the Village had been bowled out for 134 all out.

So the Village 3's start with a defeat but will hope to bounce back from that disappointing performance.