Another victory where all is quite not as it seems. Another victory where what you see on paper does not do the match justice. Another match where the 3rds did what they needed to do to win. Another match which ebbed and flowed.

And so, the 3rds eventually managed to win against HC&UCC at home on Sunday, and following a bizarre set of results elsewhere in the division over the last 2 weeks, secured back to back promotions,

Lucky to have 11 compos mentis players after Chappo turned up, (boasting about his success in a very competitive Kwik Cricket match in his garden the night before), Skipper lost the toss again and was asked to field by Upton. Despite Chappo’s representations after he bowled a 7 year old off a 15 yard run up the night before, Skipper opened up with Charlie B and Lloyd, who certainly did not disappoint. Bowling with pace and verve and no little swing, they reduced Upton to 30-2 off 10, slowing the run rate to a crawl and causing real problems. Lloyd continued to bowl straight through to finish with 2-15 off his 8, supported by the miserly Holly whose first 5 cost 10. The problem was really the 4th and 5th bowlers, particularly the skipper who manged to serve up 12 wides in his 1-31 off 7; utter drivel really. When you get to a stage where you are being coached on how to bowl straight by Chappo, it really is time to stop. Even Chappo himself bowled better, finishing with 2-9..somehow. The other bowler to struggle was Ben (0-29 off 5), who, by his own admission, was not himself. Charlie who finished with 3-13 off 8 and Holly (2-22) tried hard to stem the flow, but HC&UCC’s keeper, Oli Banwell, scored a well deserved 60* to get his side to a respectable total of 150, all out in the last over. Charlie was unlucky not to have a hattrick. Well, he would have been if his hattrick ball had not been utter tripe. The fielding was generally good, even if we did put down a couple of catches, and even Fawbert Senior congratulated Junior on the field settings for a second week in a row (wonders never cease). Two points of notes though; he did have his head in hands when junior bowled 3 consecutive wides in his last over, and for Lloyd Banks “it’s never good when a fielder is supposed to be on the boundary and the ball goes over his head for 4.” A big shout must go up to our ‘keeper, Pete “Delilah” Gale, who had to keep on a track that kept low and popped slightly at various times. Chappo did find himself hilarious every time he sang “Bye, Bye, Bye! Delilah” every time Pete was beaten by the gremlins. Sure it doesn’t matter, but official Lyrics are “Why, Why, Why? Delilah.” Nobody bothered to tell him.

So, 151 to win and 40 overs to get them. Chappo was still giving it large over his back garden performance from the night before and persuaded the skipper to let him open the batting in attempt to gain bragging rights. It didn’t work, but they did put on 107 for the first wicket. Skipper, lucky to get away with a glove past the keeper and 2 yorkers in the 2nd over, for once outscored Chappo, with his usually array of cuts and drives. When Chappo was eventually suckered into a lofted drive to mid on, to be well caught by Simon Yates, the HC&UCC skipper, off Ian, he had reached 27. He claimed it was because the skipper kept farming the strike and refusing to run 2, but nevertheless had provided a valuable contribution to the cause and a part in that 107 partnership. Eckers, savagely demoted to number 3 by the afore-mentioned Chappo, came and went in the same over, and the nerves started to kick in. Ed was next and proceeded to demonstrate some bizarre kicking away skills for balls outside leg stump, one of which almost massively back-fired on him. However, he did manage to reverse sweep a 4 off a free hit, much to the mirth of the onlooking supporters. He eventually reached 10 before holing out. Ian Hobbs finished with a really good 2-28 for HC&UCC. He also saw Pete G, the best batsman, put down by the keeper.

All the time Skipper managed to accumulate and anchored the team home with 106*, his second ton of the season. He had a bit of luck along the way, but scored quite quickly for him with 20 4s off 96 balls. The main thing though, was to get the team over the line. A victory by 7 wickets in the end and 20 points, ensuring promotion.

HC&UCC bowled well, without much luck, and edges and skied shots did not go to hand. They deserved a few more wickets and made us work hard for the win.

A tough but successful season; all who played contributed in some way, shape or form along the way, and the spirit and the banter remained high quality. Many thanks to the supporters who cam today; Fawbert Senior and Annie, Goph, Paul Q, Calvin, Nicky, Heidi, Gilly, Laura, Ryan C, Tuly, Phil Anderson, Stan, Eleanor, Holly’s BF (we think) and a few I have surely forgotten.

Dickie has been a fab scorer all season and thanks to Graham and Jeff for the groundwork!!

We’re going up!