After a great little patch for the 3s, we welcomed top of the table Hornchurch Athletic to great Braxted. It was a rare toss loss for Ridge as we were put into bat against our will. The skipper and Tasty opened up, but Tasty was soon back in shed, courtesy to a fantastic grab at extra cover having nailed a drive. What do you do? Owen joined Ridge-o at the crease, but soon sent the skipper back when he was ¾ of the way down the pitch. Sold down the river. Cheers bud. The dangerous Tom Batley strode out to the middle and smashed a couple of fours before subsequently smashing the next ball to the keeper. Veteran Colin joined big O in the middle, with the mighty 3s in some bother at 13-3 after the first 6 overs. The pair knuckled down and at drinks dragged us back to 77-3. However, it didn’t take long for Owen to claim his second victim, running out Colin in the 21st over. Danny, who thus far in the season had struggled for runs, strode out to the middle. With Owen departing soon after, Danny took the initiative. Joined by Harry Gilbert on his 3s debut, Danny played positively and with aggression, upping the run rate and piling on valuable runs. Harry looked good in his first game for the 3s, and played well for his 18. After Nick Smith had come and gone, Goochy (boasting the highest average in the club this season) joined Danny and scored a quick fire 19* in the last 5 overs, including two sixes. Danny fell just short of his first 50 of the season, being left stranded on 49* at the end of our 40 overs. We had managed to set a competitive total of 181-7.
A strong tea was put on display by Mr and Mrs Ridge. Chicken, tuna mayo and cheese sandwiches were on offer, accompanied by an excellent range of savouries. Margharita pizza, sausage rolls, pork pies, cocktail sausages, and of course, chicken nuggets. Salad items on display for those on the health grind and a strong selection of cake bites and swiss roll. Lack of homemade cake was slightly disappointing, but given the emergency tea circumstances given the need to scramble 5 players within 48hrs, a very strong effort. 8/10
Danny (2-29) opened up with Owen (0-19) (who had forgotten his white top so had to play in his jumper the whole time) and got us off to a very strong start, looking tight and dangerous. It was Danny who made the breakthrough, taking the openers off peg with a jaffa that pitched on middle and leg and nipped away. The very next ball Danny sent their number 3 packing, yorking him first ball. Unfortunately no hat trick materialised, but that does constitute double jug avoidance. The skipper soon replaced Owen, bowling the usual combination of absolute dross with some crackers. Ridge (1-30) picked up the number 4 with a waist high full toss dollied back to him to collect. With some sublime captaincy, Ridge-o took himself off and was replaced by Tasty in his new guise of ‘Matty Cummins’. It worked an absolute treat, picking up a double wicket maiden in his first over, castling the oppo 5 and 6. However, the tricky opener at the other end was still there having been dropped off Danny’s bowling and was proving a big threat. Ethan (0-51) was bowling well, but dropped a caught and bowled chance off their gun bat. Another opportunity was put down off of Ethan, with golden boy Danny putting one down at mid on. The 3 drops off of their opener, who went on to finish 98* would prove costly. Hornchurch chased the total down with 4 overs to spare, subjecting the mighty 3s to a 5 wicket L. Some positive signs to take from the game though, especially against top of the table opposition. Special mention to Harry Gilbert, who fielded superbly and saved at least 20 runs in the field.
We go again next week against Broomfield 3s who find themselves in 2nd place in Div 8.
Man of the Match – Danny Kennedy
Jack Ridge One to Watch – Harry Gilbert
