3's lose to top of the league

The 3's were playing top of the table, Parkfield & Headstone. at their ground.

The skipper lost the toss and the Village were asked to bat.

James Thompson (16) and Farzan Dulker Nain (37) opened the batting and started well as they were able to handle what the opening bowlers threw at them and score easily. The 50 partnership came up in good time and the pair were looking good until the skipper was bowled to leave the Village 60-1 off of 12 overs. Dan Penny (15) was next in but the very next ball of the next over saw Farzan caught in the deep to bring David Halsey (1) to the crease for his debut for the club. He did not last long as he was bowled off an inside edge to bring Mohamed Salahudeen to the crease and after he had hit a boundary he was next to fall caught off a top edge. Gabriel Radus (0) joined Dan at the crease but he was bowled first ball as the Village had gone from a solid start to 72-5 off of 16 overs. James Samarasinghe (26) was the next man in for his first start of the season and he and Dan looked to rebuild the innings. The pair were steady but were still able to work the ball around to keep the scoreboard ticking over before Dan was caught at point to bring George Leggett (5) to the crease. James was starting to hit some boundaries but George was unlucky to be well caught at slip. Inthikhab Mazeez (20) joined James at the crease and they got the Village to 140 and with 8 overs to go the Village could have got to 170-180 but as soon James was out caught in the deep and then Inthikhab was adjudged LBW, Mathan Mahalingam (1) got stumped to leave Chalky Cara (0) the not out batsman as the innings ended on 143.

George Leggett (1-26) and Mathan Mahalingam (1-27) opened the bowling and started well. George got the first wicket as he bowled the number 2 batsman for Parkfield before Mathan struck as the number 3 batsman was caught behind by Farzan Dulker Nain. Mohamed Salahudeen (1-29) had replaced Mathan and he was next to get a wicket as the number 1 batsman nicked behind to Farzan. Then a disappointing decision from one of their umpires who had initially given their number 4 batsman out as he had got the faintest of edges to Farzan before oddly asking the square leg umpire for whatever reason and then changing his mind. This left a ugly taste in the mouth, but we had to concentrate on the game in hand. Chalky Cara (3-32) had replaced Leggett and he claimed the next 2 wickets courtesy of a good catch from James Samarasinghe and then bowling the number 6 batsman as the opposition were reduced to 86-5. Their number 5 batsman would go onto make 50 but he had a few chances as he was dropped twice at crucial stages. Inthikhab Mazeez (1-33) had replaced Mo and he would get the next wicket thanks to a decent catch from the skipper running backwards to leave them 115-6. Chalky then got his 3rd wicket thanks to Farzan stumping their number 8, 135-7. The opposition skipper joined the number 5 batsman to see Parkfield home with overs to spare.

A disappointing result in a number of ways, firstly having made a good start to lose 5 quick wickets and not post a competitive target. Farzan Dulker Nain, James Samarasinghe & Inthikhab Mazeez all had starts but didn't manage to go onto to make a telling contribution. The bowling was good and if chances were taking and the correct decision was given the Village could well of pulled off a victory against the top of the league side.