A trip to Marnhull 2’s was the opening fixture for the 3’s this season. A youthful squad of 11 men travelled to see if a new season could spark the 3’s back into life after last season disappointments.
A new rule has come in this season, meaning the away captain can choose to bowl or toss to bat, captain Pocknell won the toss and still decided to bowl (Mind games with the opposing captain).
Opening the bowling for the 3’s were two men on debut, Kevin Wrigley and Flynn Rochford on his graduation from the Junior Academy. They bowled well however 3 chances were put down, two being by Wrigley himself of his own bowling! After 8 overs gone and runs coming easily to the opening Marnhull batsmen, it was time for a change, in came Beagley and Winwood to bring the game back Poole Town’s way! Beagley struck first clean bowling Marnhull’s opening bat, Winwood followed after cleaning up the other opener. Marnhull’s number 3 decided a positive approach was needed, he scored a quick 20 before keeper Hellawell stumped him. After this, Marnhull collapsed as Beagley took one more and Winwood with his spin tore through the middle order, this reduced Marnhull from 92-1 to 109-7 as Winwood took his 5th wicket of his spell. With Marnhull falling apart the team decided together to bring back on the opening bowlers to finish Marnhull off. Wrigley and Rochford Jr came back on and took the final 3 wickets to leave Marnhull on 118 all out. A fantastic bowling performance from the 3’s leaving 119 to win for the first game of the season for the 3’s.
After an excellent tea from Marnhull the 3’s opened the batting with Pilley and Dykes, both batsmen’s were unlucky to get out by chopping onto their own stumps. Hobbs and Pocknell came in next and decided to see off some good bowling from Marnhull’s opening bowling. Unfortunately Hobbs got out driving to mid off and Pocknell slicing to point. Hall didn’t last too long either leaving the 3’s in trouble on 54-6. With plenty of time left and the opening bowlers bowled out this left Winwood and Hellawell the chance to stop the collapse. They did this by playing smartly to block anything near the stumps and put the bad ball away for 4. A match winning partnership of 65 did the job to save the 3’s from embarrassment.
Winwood top scoring with 37 well supported by Hellawell with 29. An almost convincing win from the 3’s is a good way to start the season, hopefully next week on a flat pitch at Whitecliff the 3’s can put everything together to show that they deserve to play at a higher standard in the future!
A deserving Dan Winwood was a clear man of the match after his 5-32 off his 8 overs, his 37 not out meant he almost carried the 3’s the victory in the end!
Next week the 3’s return to their home of Whitecliff to take on Shaftesbury 2’s, hopefully a better known deck will help the batsmen score more runs!
Match Result Poole Town 3's win by 4 wickets
Marnhull 118 AO (28.0)
Primrose - 38
Stockley - 24
Winwood 5-32
Rochford 2-21
Beagley 2-28
Poole Town 3's 119/6 (31.5)
Winwood 37*
Hellawell 29*
Akers 1-5