Date

Opposition

Venue

Result

04/5/11

Wellingborough

Away

Lost

11/5/11

Oundle

Home

Won

18/5/11

Bedford

Away

Lost

08/6/11

Spratton

Home

Cancelled

29/6/11

Beachborough House

Away

02/7/11

Akeley Wood

Away

Lost

Lost by 9 wickets

On a lovely afternoon at Wellingborough, the Thirds went out to bat but very quickly found themselves pavillion-bound as some good bowling pinned them back.  Having said that, 15 runs in the first four overs was a positive start.  Things very quickly went wrong though as a total lack of communication gripped the team and a swift collapse saw Maidwell on 24 for 3 with two run outs.  A further three run outs followed as the team and its confidence imploded.  Runs were hard to come by and despite some 'positive' umpiring and the use of ten different bowlers the Thirds continued to struggle and although Sugarman and Taki held on for a while they quickly capitulated and finished on a very mediocre 63 all out (with extras 'top-scoring' on 37!).
After tea Maidwell returned ready to show Wellingborough what they were capable of and within the first two overs fashioned four catches - which were all dropped!  What a different story that would have created we will never know and Wellingborough noticeably tightened up and despite losing a wicket to Keith quickly rattled off the runs within nine overs.
 
Overall, a disappointing performance with very little fight demonstrated by the Thirds - there will need to be some big changes before the next match.  Fielding needs to be tighter but some serious work on the basics of bowling and batting needs to be completed as the boys compete for places.

The thirds, a little changed due to squad rotation, faced up to Oundle in a pairs match which provided some fresh tactical challenges but gave some invaluable batting experience to the lower orders.  The match began from a positive score of 100 to allow for wickets being taken without disappearing into negativity.

Oundle batted first and were immediately put on the back foot through some great bowling by Burgess who took two wickets in the first over (he went on to take 5 wickets, Keith and Allhusen took the others later on).  The openers were restricted to a total of 6 runs but complacency even at such an early stage started to set in just as their strongest batting pair took to the field.  What followed was textbook fielding - straight out of the Chuckle brothers' coaching manual!  Catches were dropped, ridiculous appeals went on and on, balls went through legs and the 'no ball' tally mounted.  In actual fact the extras performed remarkably well for Oundle, quickly notching up their half century and finishing on 64 runs. Ironically the nine wickets taken cancelled out runs scored by batsmen (each wicket reduces the total by 5) and their final score was 164 (for nine).

Maidwell took to the field after tea as the openers took to the crease, a positive start was quickly hijacked by poor decision making and between them three wickets were lost virtually cancelling out their runs.  This left Captain Burgess and Allhusen with some work to start building towards what should have been an easily reached total.  They set about the bowlers in confident fashion and despite a late wicket loss managed to notch up 22 runs (27 minus 5) off their 24 balls (not including extras).  Other pairs kept the total building but some nervous and hesitant running between the stumps kept the run rate very low.  The final pair of Olowogboye and Munoz arrived with Maidwell 16 runs ahead but three wickets in quick succession gave the opposition hope.  Thankfully Oundle ran out of overs and a few good strikes from the pair maintained a gap, Maidwell (after detailed score tallying by the umpires!!!) winning by 6 runs.
 
If the Thirds are to gain results in their remaining matches there needs to  be much more focus and concentration in the field - seven easy catches were dropped and two half chances - and definitely more urgency when batting to maintain a positive run rate.

On a windswept wicket at Bedford
The Third team took to the field
After the previous week's victorious display
They were determined not to yield...
 
But, the best laid plans were soon scuppered
As wickets steadily fell
Six bowled, four caught and a run out
They seemed to be under a spell
 
Wilson and Cliffy kept battling
A last wicket stand gave us hope
But even their best effort
Was brief respite on a slippery slope.
 
Bedford's innings went much as predicted
Despite the Piensuparp Brothers
And runs seemed to flow quite swiftly
As boundaries came one after t'other
 
The scores were a fair reflection
Of a poor display from the boys
We'll look to improve things next time
And play with a lot more poise!
 
The team needs a much greater level of concentration when batting and fielding and a bit more of a killer instinct - they're all much too nice!

Onward and upward - hopefully!

A sunny afternoon at Akeley, saw the Thirds take to the field for their last match of the season.  They were hopeful and confidently took to the field with Akeley batting, however apart from the first wicket falling at 13 runs they were swiftly made to pay for some slightly wayward bowling, Piensuparp being the most consistent.  Their #2 batsman quickly found his feet and his repertoire of shots grew steadily, he was eventually retired as he made his 50 although should have been run out earlier in what was a comedy of errors, as the stumps were hit but the bails not removed!
 
The final total of 129 for 4 looked a pretty big ask off 20 overs and the Maidwell innings began with a certain feeling of trepidation.  However, as Ferrari and Keith took to the crease the runs began to flow quite well and the first wicket didn't fall until 21 runs.  Burgess arrived at the crease and began to tear apart the Akeley bowling, the partnership with Keith putting on a rapid 32 runs.  At this point things started to fade as keith then Burgess were dismissed swiftly followed by the middle order, reaching 99 for 8 off 16 overs.  At this stage things still looked possible but the run rate was too slow and the batting too conservative.  The final push was too late and the final wicket fell with the total at 112 on the last ball of the innings.
 
Overall a brave performance on which to finish, well played the 3rds!