3’s Get Over Line in Close Run Chase in Rearranged Fixture

Upon winning the toss the away side elected to bat and after a couple of early wickets for Hertford the Stansted batsman counter attacked. Aggressive intent and some luck along the way led to the score being 60-2 after 10 overs. From there the squeeze came from the Hertford bowlers, Connor Ives producing some bounce and movement off a tricky length.

Another impressive bowling display cam from Flynn Ruskin whole bowled with great control the batsman really unable to get him away. All the bowlers shared the wickets and kept the away side to 135 from there 38 overs.

Having been asked to chase similar scores in previous weeks there were some nerves from the skipper as he sent out R carter and Matt bartlam to begin the chase. 10 overs in and those nerves were unfortunately now a reality. The score sat at 14-5, due to some well disciplined bowling from Stansted on a pitch with some indifferent bounce out of the dents in the pitch. Having hoped not to be needed batting at 7 Codd strode out to the middle to meet Alex Carter. After seeing off the opening bowlers spells and going at around 2 an over the pair set about trying to up the run rate.

The pitch combined with the slow outfield made scoring quickly no easy task. The pair batted well until with the score on 96 Carter skied a ball and was well taken. 3 wickets fell for 23 runs across the next 5 overs, the captain one of those unable to see his side home. And so it fell to Scott ruskin and George gardener to see the side home 17 required off 3. Scott took 10 of the second last over meaning Hertford only required 5 off the last and with 3 balls remaining the winning boundary was hit to see a 1 wicket victory.

A massive thank you to Stansted for taking the fixture and providing a really competitive game. Next week is the last league game of the season. The 3’s at home to Old Camdenians.

Written by Ian Codd.