MHV 3rd XI remain undefeated

This was a match played in good spirits, fine weather and pleasant surroundings, all contributing to a good day's cricket, culminating in a third successive league victory. The win puts MHV 3rd XI top of the their division with only one other side enjoying a 100% winning record. St Margaretsbury is a village between Ware and Hertford with good facilities and a small but pleasant second ground adjacent to their main square. The pitch was hard and dry, offering bounce to the bowlers but little else, as the surface was really more favourable to the batsmen. Which is probably why the home skipper decided to bat first having won the toss.

The home side got off to a slow but steady start. Alam Khan bowled superbly and looked threatening with almost every ball. Despite this he went wicket-less with 0-18 in his 7 overs. Tommy Smith (1 for 52) got the first breakthrough, thanks to a decent catch from the skipper at mid-off. Mo Salahudeen was the man to profit from the early pressure with 3-22 in his 8 overs either side of the drinks break. At the other end, young Sam Hare making his 3s league debut also bowled very well, picking up 2-21 in his 6 overs. The hosts middle order rallied with a couple of decent partnerships, without ever quite getting on top of the Village attack. Farzan Dulker-Nain effected a brilliant run out to get rid of one of the more stubborn players in the hosts batting line up. They managed to push the run rate up towards 4 an over by the end of their innings, with a few lusty blows from their talented juniors who came in at 6 & 7. The St Margaretsbury innings ended on 157-7 with a wicket off the last ball.

Any doubt about the outcome of the match was dispelled relatively quickly once the Village innings got underway. A combination of wayward bowling and punishing attacking shots from the opening pair got the reply off to flying start, 67 for no wickets after just 7 overs. Farzan and Phil Smith scored several boundaries each and the runs also flowed from a series of wides and byes, as the home side's young and inexperienced opening attack, bowled with considerable pace but very little control in the early overs. Progress was only halted by Farzan's knee injury, caused when turning back sharply in an attempt to make his ground at the non-strikers end. He was forced to retire hurt and it now seems that he will be out for a few weeks while recovering. This is a blow to the team, as Farzan has contributed strongly with ball, bat and in the field, in what has been a productive start to the season.

The score was 80 by the time the first Village wicket fell and 100-2 when the last one fell. Skipper Phil Smith carried his bat throughout the innings, scoring 74 not out to guide his team to victory. The bowling attack was not the strongest that will be seen this season but this was nevertheless a thoroughly professional performance with everyone in the team contributing to a well deserved victory. A staggering 48 extras told the tale of the below par bowling and fielding performance by the hosts. The target of 158 was overhauled in the 29th over.

The 3rd XI and indeed all the teams in the Club remain undefeated in Saturday league cricket after three rounds of games. Stiffer challenges lie ahead but the team are performing well individually and collectively at the moment and long may this continue. A home game against Knebworth Park IVs is next up.