After last weekends win the boys were in high spirits ahead of another away game, this time a trip to Blandford to face their 2nd’s was the challenge set for the 3’s this week.
After warming up with a game of hand cricket the 3’s put Blandford into bat, they even offered to bat first which at first concerned captain Pocknell. Opening the bowling again this week was Brindley and Perry, on a wet wicket and with conditions changing every five minutes Brindley took the first wicket off the second ball of the innings. An excellent catch from Winwood at mid wicket got the 3’s off to a perfect start, Perry at the other end was struggling to find his rhythm, this was due to his hockey shoes not having enough grip on the damp wicket. An investment in a pair of spikes might be needed.
Brindley continued from the other end and continued to take wickets, as all of Blandford’s batters took an over positive approach. This did not help them as they got themselves out giving Pocknell and Wrigley catching practice at mid on and mid off, into his 6th over and Brindley had taken a 5’fer, an excellent 6 over spell which had left Blandford’s innings in tatters Bowling changes at both ends the occurred through Beagley and Wrigley. The wickets carried on falling as Beagley took 3 wickets during his spell, including Pocknell's third catch, an LBW first ball after drinks (one for drinks) for the second and another catch for the third through Perry's magnet hands. After all this poor batting from Blandford surely it couldn’t get any worst, unfortunately it did as their number 10 ran as easy 2 but got ran out for not putting his bat down, Wrigley then picked up the last wicket with an easy catch at point for Hall.
Blandford ending all out for 59 runs, an excellent bowling and fielding performance from the 3’s as not a single catch was put down.
Due to Blandford’s innings being so short we carrying on straight into our batting innings, Pilley and Hobbs opened with some sensible batting to get the scoreboard going, after seeing off their opening bowlers Hobbs took charge and played some excellent drives down the ground. For once he didn’t get himself out by driving down mid offs throats, he instead hit the ball straight at square legs hands off a terrible delivery. He fell to his knees in shock and disappointment as once again he had got himself out. Hall joined Pilley at the crease, with clear intentions to finish the game off as soon as possible, Hall smashed a four down the ground then pulled one over square leg which hit an overhanging tree to give him a 6 and win the game for the 3’s as they easily chased down 59 to win.
A perfect all round performance from the 3’s to send them back to top of their league, next week we finally get to go back to our home of Whitecliff to kick off three home games on the bounce!
Rumour has it that you could hear some Poole Town CC related chants through the streets of Wimborne after the game, going to be an exciting contest next Saturday against the auld enemy.
Blandford 2’s - 59 ao (23.3)
Brindley 5/9
Beagley 3/8
Poole Town 3’s - 60/1 (16.3)
M. Hobbs 34
L. Hall 12*
Written not dictated by B. Pocknell .