3rd XI's Unbeaten Run Comes to An End
After a week of heavy rain and the forecast for the day looking bleak at times it was a wonder that a game was played at the Rec.
However some dedication from the Frogmore team who were at the ground at 6:45 (unsure why you would be awake at that time on a Saturday) meant the pitch had time to dry out.
Upon winning the toss, which turned out to the be the skippers highlight of the day... he elected to bowl in favourable conditions. Early on Hertford let themselves down with some in different bowling and in the case of Ross Murphy some questionable catching. The Frogmore batsmen mixed attacking play with plays and misses.
One of these misses produced one of the longest appeals from a bowler ever witnessed in the 3rd team. What started as a half appeal from the team ended with Murphy basically sitting in the middle of the wicket pleading with the umpire, the noise resembled that of a deflating woopie cushion or bagpipes rather than a man who had any conviction in his appeal.
Heading into the last 10 overs Hertford needed to finish strongly and a couple of quick wickets left Frogmore 9 down for 160. Ian Hurst batted well marshaling the tail to take the score to an over par 190. That would be tricky to chase on a wicket that was not easy to bat on. As the players left the field light rain drifted over the ground, this lingered for the next 45 minutes or so causing the revised target to be 175 in 41 overs. Hertford would have to bat very well to get near... they did not.
Due to the severe lack of runs and time spent in the middle there isn’t much to write home about in regards to the batting display. With the rain making the ball skid on several of the top order were out bowled. One bright point was the application of Matt Bartlam who again impressed with the bat, earlier his keeping once again was quality in tricky conditions. However the rest of the side failed to make any significant scores, crumbling to a fairly dismal 57 all out. Needless to say the side did not enjoy the day out at Frogmore and there won’t be clamourings to rush back anytime soon.
Next up for Hertford is a home game against North Mymms where a better display is very much required.
Written by Ian Codd.
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