3's beat Berkhamsted to go 2nd

The 3's were at home against Berkhamsted on a warm sunny day.

The opposition skipper won the toss and decided to have a bat.

Andrew Godfrey (1-22) and Tommy Smith (2-22) opened the bowling for the Village and the youngsters bowled well to restrict the opposition to a run rate of less than 4 an over. Tommy was first to strike in his 3rd over as he bowled the Berkhamsted captain who was a little unlucky as the ball came back off his heel to trickle back onto his stumps and take the bails off. Mohamed Salahudeen (2-15) replaced Tommy and began well as he did not let the batsman get away and was very consistent with his line. Godders had bowled well and had not got a wicket his bowling deserved until he got the 2nd wicket as he caught and bowled the number 3 in his last over to leave the opposition 54-2 off of 15 overs. Chalky Cara (2-43) replaced Godders and he and Mo slowed the pace down as the pitch was proving tricky to score on if the ball was put in the right place. Mo then got the number 2 batsman out who was nearing a 50 by bowling him before Chalky got the next wicket courtesy of a good catch by Dave Knight at point. Mo then got another as he bowled the number 5 before Chalky claimed his 2nd wicket thanks to a stumping by Farzan Dulker Nain to leave the opposition 82-6. The number 6 & 8 batsman for Berkhamsted then put on a 50 partnership before Dave Knight (3-13) made the breakthrough by bowling the number 6 batsman. Sanket Shah (0-23) had replaced Mo but he did not manage a wicket but Dave Knight took his 2nd in his next over as he bowled the number 9. Tommy then came back on and took the wicket of the number 8 who was close to a 50 as he was bowled before Dave wrapped up the innings with his 3rd wicket in 3 overs thanks to a simple catch from the skipper at mid wicket to leave the opposition 151 all out.

James Thompson (4) and Farzan Dulker Nain (78*) opened the batting knowing that if they played properly the target of 152 was very reachable. The pair were first watchful of the opening bowlers before Farzan took a liking to the number 2 bowler as he smashed him to all parts as the pair put on 49 for the first wicket, all thanks to Farzan before the skipper was bowled. Sanket Shah (60) was the next man in to join Farzan at the crease and the pair were soon in their stride as they continued to take the attack to the opposition. After 15 overs the score was 88-1 and it was looking like a stroll to victory for the Village. Berkhamsted tried swapping their bowlers to try and bring about a wicket but to no avail as Farzan first brought up his fifty with a 6 before Sanket did exactly the same to bring up his. Sanket was eventually caught in the deep but the damage had already been done. Paul Simpson (4*) joined Farzan at the end and it was fitting that Farzan was left to hit the winning runs as the Village cruised to victory in just 20.4 overs.

An excellent all round display from the 3's with all but one of the bowlers chipping in with wickets. Dave Knight ended with the best figures but Mohamed Salahudeen was excellent in the middle overs. Andrew Godfrey and Tommy Smith were also impressive when opening the bowling. Farzan Dulker Nain and Sanket Shah were both impressive and destructive with the bat as they put on 92 for the 2nd wicket to virtually guarantee victory and send the 3's 2nd in the league.