3's off to a flyer

The first game of the season saw the 3rd XI up against Berkhamsted 3rd XI away.

The skipper won the toss and decided to have a bowl.

Alam Khan (1-26) opened the bowling along with Mathan Mahalingam (1-30) who were both making their debuts for the Village. Both started well and it was Mathan who got the break through removing their skipper courtesy of an excellent diving catch by Chalky Cara at gully. Matt Hawkes (2-25) then replaced Mathan and got into a nice rhythm and with his added pace caused the batsman problems. Mohamed Salahudeen (3-22) had replaced Alam at the other end and with his first ball he had the number 3 batsman trapped LBW. Matt was next to strike thanks to another good catch from Chalky at gully. Mo then got another wicket this time thanks to Matt holding onto a catch a mid off to leave Berkhamsted 93-4 at drinks. The number 2 batsman was causing the Village problems and had amassed his 50 before Matt struck in his last over trapping him LBW with a fuller delivery. Dave Knight (1-20) then replaced Mo and Chalky Cara (1-14) took over from Matt at the other end. Dave struck bowling the number 6 before a partnership began to develop between the number 7 & 8 batsmen. Chalky got the break through thanks to some good fielding as he deflected a straight drive back onto the stumps to leave the number 7 batsmen stranded. Chalky then bowled the number 9 before Alam Khan came back to strike and trap the number 8 batsmen LBW. It was then left to Mo to wrap up the innings as he bowled the number 10 to leave the opposition 145 all out.

James Thompson (4) and Roshan Dias (100*) opened the batting and were watchful early on. James went in the 3rd over as he was caught behind to leave the Village 11-1. Pete Jaffe (19) joined Roshan at the crease and was determined not to give his wicket away whilst Roshan was beginning to play more freely and was finding the boundary with ease to keep up with the run rate required. Roshan was looking at ease at the crease as the opposition tinkered with their attack. Roshan, another to make his debut for the Village brought up his 50 in style hitting a 6. At drinks the score was 94-1, which was on par with Berkhamsted at the same stage but crucially the Village had wickets in hand and a strong line up to come. Pete was beginning to free his arms and picking up boundaries but he was next out as he was caught at square leg. Matt Hawkes (19*) then joined Roshan and with his first ball showed his intent by hitting a boundary over mid wicket. Within a couple of overs the Village were in sight of victory and it was fittingly left to Roshan to hit the winning runs with a straight drive over the top which also brought up a well deserved 100 as the Village eased to 149-2 off 26.2 overs.

An impressive start for the Village with an all round good team performance. Mohamed Salahudeen picked up 3 wickets with Matt Hawkes impressive in his 8 over spell as he picked up 2 wickets including the crucial one of the batsman who made 63. The other bowlers all picked up a wicket between them with Chalky also showing off his fielding abilities with 2 catches and a run out. In the batting the star was Roshan Dias with his ton but he was ablely assisted firstly by Pete Jaffe and then by Matt Hawkes to see the Village home with plenty of overs to spare.