3rd XI Open Account with Comprehensive Win Against Frogmore

In Codd’s absence the team were led by veteran Rob Carter, having spent a winter stretching and having had multiple parts of his body replaced he looks a rejuvenated man… Rob won the toss and decided to bat in fairly damp conditions. Having thought all winter about this moment he decided to pair up Oran Riddle and all rounder Richard Eaton to open up. Both looked comfortable against mixed bowling, putting away the bad ball and took the team to 30 before both were bowled, Oran playing a defensive shot and Eaton trying to hit the ball into the caravan park. Suffice to say coach Carter was not amused.

Sharma and Carter Jnr both batted sensibly and made good starts before Sharma was caught for 19. Mike Ives came to the wicket and he and Carter steadily build the runs, taking no real risks and it was a surprise when Carter gave mid off some catching practice. This brought Andy Moulding (Tadpole/Tadders) to the crease who rode his luck with some aerial shots before finally taking one risk too many for a quick 26. Mike’s brother Conor came to the wicket next and a short partnership was curtailed when Mike called him through for a quick single and Conor was run out by an excellent direct hit. The watching Ives family knew there would be a tense evening in the household.

Skipper Carter came in next at number 8. He and Ives picked the pace up as the overs ticked down. A score of around 200 looked on the cards until Ives took 20 off an over, hitting the ball to all parts and reaching a well deserved half century with it. Mike was finally bowled for an excellent 68 which left George Giblett to come in and finish the innings off with a crunching 4 through extra cover. The team finished on 230-7 which given conditions and a very slow outfield felt slightly above par.

Despite most spectators assuming Carter would open with the spin of Eaton, instead he opted for both George’s, Gardner and Giblett. Unfortunately the team had to field for the first three overs of the innings with only 10 men as Tadpole seemingly had forgotten he was playing and had decided to have a pint in the bar. He did miss however in the second over a quite stunning catch by Dave Benham. Fielding long on, the opener drilled it at Dave who dived and one handed held on to a worldie. The batsman was stunned as were the fielders who had never seen a catch like it in the 3’s!

This was the beginning of a quite brilliant afternoon in the field for the team. Virtually everything was stopped in the outfield with one great runout (A Carter/M Ives) and the team caught virtually everything that came at them. Two more one handed catches followed, one by Mike Ives low to the ground having to dive the opposite way to which he was moving and then Carter Snr with a great grab at slip.

Hertford only needed 4 bowlers as a shell-shocked Frogmore subsided quickly. Wickets were shared round as Giblett (3), Gardner (2), Benham (2) and Sharma (1) all got in on the action. Frogmore finished on 74 all out to ensure Hertford started the season with the full 30 points.

A very enjoyable afternoon for the team which set the standard for the rest of the year.

Author: Richard Eaton