Fortress Braxted was the location for another big game for the 3s, with Taite and Danny being called in to add more athleticism to the team. A big performance was needed against Rainham to ensure a win, with Rainham boasting some high scores this season. The monsoon-like rain the day before has ensured the road prepared by Sam was now a prime bowl first pitch. Totham were bowling first, with Rainham winning the toss and electing to bat, Sam had got his wish.
First over, like so many times before had been given to Jess, the young seamer started the game perfectly, a wicket with the first ball of the game, Totham were off. Her first ball
pitching on leg and moving away, it took the opening bats outside edge and spooned up towards Taite, who had flopped to the floor and somehow kept hold of it. The man who had positioned himself at gully as he thought it would be the safest place to hide, had actually placed himself into the perfect spot. DK was given the other opening bowler spot, his first since the middle of last season, rusty and hungover is the only way to describe the spell, improving towards the end. Jess’ first over set the tone for her spell, with the Rainham bats only looking to attack across the line, Jess picked up another 2 wickets, decimating the top order. With Rainham 3 down, and only looking to attack, the trusty spin pairing of Yeates and Tommy were up. Tommy taking a couple of overs to find his length, being punished a few times for it, he finally settled in and spun a web that mystified the Rainham middle order, some outstanding bowling from the young man, Tommy was unlucky to not pick up more, with a couple of catches going down, the boy knows how to take wickets. Meanwhile, Sam at the other end was on it from ball one, taking wicket after wicket, proving that no bat is safe from his bowling at Braxted. Sam’s spell also allowed Tim the chance to show off why he’s the premier 3s keeper, a sharp catch down the leg side while standing up off Yeatesy, easy work, he doesn’t drop the tough ones. When drinks rolled around the innings was all but over, Sam bowled the Rainham captain for 40, the only player who had shown the knowledge what a defensive shot was. Totham were happy with the performance during the first 20 overs, with the opposition sat at 91-6, no one quite expected what happened next. Rainham lost their last 4 wickets for 3 runs, the aggressive tactic that had seen them put 280 on the board a few weeks ago had backfired here. Sam had 5, Jess 3, and Tommy 2. The low score could’ve been lower if a couple of chances were taken, but overall, it was an outstanding performance by the side.
Teas was a time of reflection, although it was only a small score to chase, it was never going to be an easy one, the pitch had a few demons in it, and the outfield was so long we nearly lost Tim at one point. There was also outrage from Taite, who was disgusted that he had to bring his own teas to the game, the man would have to put his hands into his own pockets.
Neither of the openers who played in the victory the week before were at the game, but Jacob had rushed back from holiday at the sniff of a chance of cricket, it was RK and J Slates who would take on the task. The pair strode out to the middle knowing they needed to score at just under 2.5 an over, so nothing silly and they would do it comfortably. Batting sensibly and in a controlled manner is second nature to Jacob, RK on the other hand, this would take up what little concentration he had. The slow controlled start that the 3s needed is exactly what the pair delivered, creeping up towards the total, with none of the runs being boundaries, the pair had to put in a lot of running. RK would fall in the 18th over for 16, the score at 35-1. The controlled start had set Totham up, Jacob would act the anchor and Jimmy would play shots around him, scoring a quick 17 before being caught. Taite was next in, just hitting the ball was his measure of success, dispatching the first ball for 4, the Rainham bowler in disarray, he’d dropped down from division 5 and was looking like he was due a pumping. Taite would fall by chipping one up to cover, and Jacob would fall shortly after, caught behind for 31 off 105 balls, a mature and vital innings. Tickle and Timbo would continue in the same manner set by the others, no silly just, block out the good balls but punishing the bad ones. Totham had their win, a huge effort on a hot day against an inform side.
Player of the match: Jess Pugh
Bunnest Performance: The Outfield
