Another poor performance costs the 3's

The 3's were up against top of the league Berkhamsted 3's at home on a cloudy day.

The skipper won the toss and put the oppo in to bat hoping that the overhead conditions would help his bowlers. George Leggett (2-27) and Andrew Godfrey (0-32) started the bowling and after a steady start George got rid of the opener courtesy of a ball that came back down the hill to take off stump, 20-1. Tommy Smith (0-63) then replaced George after his first 4 overs and started well only conceding 8 runs in his first 2 overs. Godders was bowling nicely and chances were being created the best of which was a simple caught and bowled effort that Tommy unfortunately put down. Their number 1 batsman was living a charmed life as he edged one to slip but the pace beat the skipper who only managed to get a finger to it. Dave Knight (2-56) and James Thompson (0-39) replaced Godders and Tommy and Dave got rewarded with an LBW to remove the number 3 batsman. Next Michael Televantou ran out the next batsman after putting down a chance to catch the number 1 batsman. He then had another let off when the skipper managed to find the edge only for the ball to fly between Farzan and Mohamed. Dave Knight then bowled the number 5 batsman and the oppo were 115-4 after 25 overs. James was steady but still giving up boundary balls while Dave was not able to keep any control as the oppo started to accelerate the run rate. Tommy and George replaced Dave and James and the next wicket came when the batsman ran for a quick single but Farzan was alive to run out the number 6 batsman who had got 44. The oppo especially their skipper was able to find the balance of picking up boundaries whilst picking up singles as he went on to make 95*. The next wicket fell when George bowled the number 7 but the oppo had reached an imposing total of 229-6 off their 40 overs.

Richard Pfeiffer (1) and Piers Jenkins (12) got the Village reply going but in the 1st over Richard was run out attempting a 2nd run. Piers was watchful and was joined by Farzan Dulker Nain (33). Farzan started to hit boundaries with one over going for 24, with 3 fours and 2 sixes, the last of which flew over the garage. The Village were looking good at 45-1 but unfortunately Farzan gloved one to the keeper. That brought Mohamed Salahudeen (0) to the crease who then hit one off the top of the bat which looped up safe of 3 converging fielders, but unfortunately attempted a run which Piers said no to and in trying to turn back slipped giving the oppo the easiest run out. Michael Televantou (1) then joined Piers at the crease but not long after Piers hit one straight to cover to leave the Village 49-4. James Thompson (1) joined Michael at the crease and after finally getting off the mark this season was bowled by the pacey Atkins who was skidding it through helped by the rain that was starting to fall. George Leggett was next in but he toed one straight back to the bowler. Michael was next out bowled by Atkins. Leigh Clark (8) making his debut was joined by Tommy Smith (6) and after both had hit a boundary between them, Leigh was bowled and then Tommy was next victim to Atkins and so it was left to Andrew Godfrey (2) and Dave Knight (0*) to try to get Village to some batting points. With only 2 runs before the 1st bonus point, Godders was bowled and the Village were all out for a pitiful 78.

A poor performance all round with the bowlers not giving the skipper any control and with chances being put down proving to be costly. Pick of the bowlers was George Leggett who picked up another 2 wickets and has started the season well. The batting again struggled which is of concern with only Farzan making any notable contribution, but the Village were well beaten by a side that will be up there at the end of the season.