The sun was out for the first round of league action as the 3s welcomed Oaklands to Fortress Braxted. In true Totham captain’s style, Ridge lost the toss and Oaklands chose to bat. The ‘Ridge Out’ cries had begun after a strong final friendly performance under the McCausland coup last week.
Issey and Jess opened the bowling with Jess being right on the money from ball 1 and Issey growing into his spell very nicely. Both refused to let the openers get started and kept a lid on the run rate. This set a great platform for the twin spin of Yeatesy and Tommy Wheeler. TW looked dangerous from the outset, and Yeatesy equally bamboozling the openers, but we were yet to find the breakthrough by drinks with Oaklands 42-0 at the halfway stage.
One of the great side stories of this season is the Pugh-Wheeler saga, whereby Jess and Tom battle it out every week with the loser having to wash the dishes in their food tech classes. Tom was straight into the mind games from week one. ‘Great opening spell, Jess’ commented Timbo. Tommy – ‘Yeah no wickets though’.
It was Yeatesy was the first to make the breakthrough for us, breaking through the openers defences soon after drinks. What ensued was 10 overs of carnage, with a lot of bails flying about. Sam added to his early wicket with a second removing the other opener. Tom then joined the party to go 1-0 on Jess, turning one square which was too good for the Oaklands batsman. Sam continued bowling well and taking wickets, as Tommy got rid of the dangerous number 3 who was the source of most of the Oaklands runs (2-0 Tom). The standard of the fielding was excellent, with the hard work at Thursday training paying dividends, keeping a lid on Oaklands efforts to up the run rate. Yeatesy brought up a well deserved 5fer – all of which were bowled. The 3s have been involved in a number of unfortunate run out scenarios in pre season, but the roles were reversed as a classic ‘yes, no, yes, no… sorry mate’ situation led to the dismissal of the Oaklands skip – Slater the accurate fielder making up for an earlier lively run out attempt. Jess and Iseey came back into the attack, with TW confident that he had secured a W heading into next week’s food tech. However, it was not so, with Jess striking with her first ball of her second spell. Issey provided great support from the other end, with Jess finishing things off by rearranging middle stump. Celebrations very much directed in Tom’s direction after equalising.
A fantastic effort in the field with 9 wickets all bowled, and Mr Braxted himself securing 5. Oaklands all out for 72.
Again, no tea review unfortunately. Might have to start comparing meal deals if the competition is good.
JC and J Ridge opened up chasing a low total. The absolute athletes that the pair are, both ran the Oaklands fielders ragged and punished the bad ball when it came, putting on 44 after the first 5 overs. However, soon after John’s entertaining innings came to an end. Ye olde straight one rearing its ugly head seeing JC depart for a blazing 24. Jacob came to the crease with Totham only requiring a further 25. Jacob looked in good touch, with his mental maths also on song – plenty of singles taken on the last ball of the over… The pair saw the 3s over the line, securing a huge 9 wicket dub to get the season off to a flyer. Wrapped up by 3:45 and in The Bull for 4:30 – beautiful.
Player of the Match: Sam Yeates
