MATCH REPORT - SAT 3RD XI (6TH JUNE)

Played on our first Recreation Ground on Saturday (where were the covers??!!) on the dusty dry Winkfield Rec. Lost the toss, and they decided to bat.

Mark Sutherland and Si Farrant opened up, only decision was which one wanted to run up the hill into the wind and which one down with wind behind. Left them to fight over it… Luckily their choice proved a good one, as Mark tied up one end and Si was menacing to say the least with pace and bounce. Mark S made the break through with a simple catch for the skipper.
In came Ascot’s 4th team Overseas (for those who think they might have misread this), yes an overseas playing for the 4th team, making his debut. The bowlers kept them quiet and under 3 an over, and the tall man finally got some reward with a great catch behind by Ryan Funnell to claim the other opener. The Aussie started going up a gear or two, the Mighty White came on and immediately bowled out their number 4. He then went a bit wayward and the overseas took advantage. However, he came good once more to take out the number 5 as well before taking a well earned rest… Josh JB3 came down the hill to replace Si, and immediately got the respect of the Aussie. So much so he gave a nice easy chance of a catch to mid off. However…… Santosh’s catching technique had not improved from the previous week! Thereafter the ball seemed to follow him wherever he went. Santosh nearly redeemed himself with a sharp chance at midwicket (I think we may call him THE TEFF as opposed to the Hoff or the Heff as the ball slides out of his hands easier than an egg out of my new frying pan!).
JB1 replaced JB3 and slowed the run rate back down, Ryan Blake bowled tidily for no reward, Santosh had a go as well, but by now the Aussie was scoring freely and was flowing rather well. James (JB1) got a great run out to break the next partnership. Finally JB1 got the overseas out charging down the wicket clean bowling him. It was a very nice 105, and I am sure if he stays in the 4th team, he will improve Ascot’s batting..
The tall man came back on to bowl once more and clean bowled the tail enders and their skipper called a halt to proceedings after 46 overs.

JB1, looking to extend his fabulous run with the bat and the Mighty White opened up. Guess who came trundling down the hill??????!! What a surprise, he is an all rounder….
For once our main Van driver JB1 had an off day getting caught for 6. Ryan Blake had a short stint at 3, and so in came the not so in form skipper. He and The Mighty White put on another 40 runs before Mike missed a straight one. Ryan F decided to give their gully catching practice first ball (which he seemed proficient at!), Adam Carey scored his first run for the 3’s, but decided he will improve appearance by appearance (by that calculation we will be at the end of next season before he reaches his maiden 50!), Santosh tried to see if their bowler was any better than him at catching. He was…. And suddenly we were 90-6.
Cometh the hour and all that…. Enter bowling hero Farrant, who kept me company, so much so that they had to bring the overseas back. 69 runs were added before Si nicked one for a valuable 33.
Josh B braved the opening duo and hit a lovely 4 before he too was caught in the slips. Baiju came to the crease at no. 10 and made batting look exceedingly uncomfortable as he tried to save the game.
With the wickets tumbling once again, it was left to Growler and Mark S to play out the last couple of overs. Mark keeping out the last 6 balls, even hitting a lovely driven 4 off the last ball to rub a little salt into the Ascot attack and keep the skipper happy.

In the end, a good game of cricket. The usual what if’s, but we still remain unbeaten after 5 games, so a great start.

MOM: J O’Shea (their overseas, with 105 runs and 2-41) A really nice lad, and a fine young player.
Closely following by Tall man Si Farrant 3-48 and 33 runs, and myself for finally getting a decent score of 96*
Memorable Moments. Teff once again, you have to smile! Ryan F, “Catch this – Oh”…
Things to improve: Not me for once… See above…

Renault Traffic Van this week. Working hard with some good performances, but not as reliable as we have been. (no insult to Renault intended).
Next week we face table toppers Bracknell 2’s at Valley End. An important game and we will welcome back ‘Broomie’. Please put availability on Team App, or email me. Nets are on Wednesday evening as usual.

League Position 2nd.

Growler