MATCH REPORT - SAT 3RD XI VS READING 4 (11TH JULY)

BCC League Position - 2/10

On a dry and very warm day, and with the shock of winning a toss, the skipper had mild sunstroke and chose to field with the theory that we could chase down any total Reading set us on the batting paradise of Valley End!
With the outfield rather fast, runs were easy to come by. Chuckles and Richard Nash opened the bowling this week (Si Farrant rightly up in the two’s after his heroics at Kew last week) and bowled well, but 4 or 5 an over was easy for the batsmen to achieve without taking any risks. Nashy snuck a wicket 12th over with a good catch from Mighty White. Sensible batting was the order of the day, and their no.3 did not adhere to this as JB1 bowled him after a couple of heaving fours.

Thereafter it was hard work. The normally dependable Nige Rice spilled a sharp chance (in spite of 3 attempts at it), and they found Santosh in another generous mood on one occasion, but other than that no spills and thrills as they amassed their runs in spite of the best efforts of the bowlers. Mighty White, Josh Nakarka, and Santosh all had a go to no avail. Matthew Funnell then came on for his first bowl on debut in 2015 for the 3’s and bowled excellently to keep the run rate at a sensible level. However with 3 wickets down, we were expecting a thrash from about the 40th over for an early declaration which never materialised as the ground their way to a rather unlikely 285 of 47 overs.

JB1 and I started the reply, and maybe still suffering the effects of the sun or irate with what I thought was an unsporting declaration, I managed to think I should score at over 12 an over and was promptly caught out attempting the 3rd four in one over with a good catch in the covers. Mike White followed soon after as did Nashy, and then Nigel. Whilst calmly at the other end JB1 was gently caressing the ball around the ground as it should be done. So at 73-4, concerns were felt by the skipper. In went young keeper Ryan Funnell whose highest score was previously 22 I believe. Target set by the skipper was 100, then 125 etc. With guidance from JB1 and more and more confidence creeping up on him as the field closed in around him when he faced, Ryan produced some great shots and got numerous fours as the total kept on going as each target was achieved. At 13 an over for the last 6 overs, JB1 even thought a victory might be on the cards. However, their captain and umpire had other ideas as JB1 was given out to a rather woody lbw. Ryan carried on past his 50 and Josh Nakarja supported him until up to the last ball thrash as we ended up on 234-6. Ryan Funnell a superb 77 not out.

So disappointing not to get a victory, however some excellent work from the colts once again to keep us in the game along with the ever so reliable JB1 once again the glue to keep us rolling.

MOM: I am so sorry JB1, but I just feel on a few days reflection that young Ryan slightly outshone you today. Don’t think he could have done it without your support, but for a captain to watch these youngsters starting their senior careers and doing so well is what both JB1 and I wanted at the start of the season so he gets the award this week.
Memorable Moments. Santosh. What a nice man he is. Ryan’s face when he got to his 50, and sipping a glass of Ryan’s lager jug (bought by his dad Barrie of course!).
Other memorable moments. Young Matthew Funnell’s 5 overs for 21 runs at the close of the their innings.

My thanks. Barrie for umpiring and having two good cricketing sons, Richard Witts for his ever so neat scoring (methinks he could have got bewitched by the view of the Reading scorer next to him on occasion!), all the players for clearing, washing up, drying up and putting up and down the gazebo etc.

Next week over to Theale and Tilehurst!

This week’s van is the….. Vauxhall Astravan…. As we have some rising stars in the 3rd team
Keep the faith….

Growler