3rd XI Match Report - 22/5/22

Justin offers his thoughts on the 3rd XI fixture v Halesowen on Saturday.

The 3rd XI recorded their first win of the season against a youthful Halesowen team.
The game was played on an artificial wicket that gave consistent exaggerated bounce throughout.

The Halesowen innings looked as if it would be an innings of 2 ends. Chris Chattaway and Tom Maidment sent down 16 overs from the Smokers End at Haybridge for a combined 24 runs whilst the first 11 overs at the pavilion end were dispatched for over 80 runs by some aggressive hitting. Jake Moorse then took over at the pavilion end and took a remarkable 5 wickets for 8 runs off 4 overs. His first wicket was a caught and bowled that he parried one handed before spinning round and taking it with 2 hands at the second attempt. According to Jake the ball was travelling like an exocet although, strangely, everyone else saw a slow looping shot that he made a half-hearted attempt to catch. Jake’s final dismissal was a champagne moment as a pull shot was caught one handed millimetres from the ground by Liam Hadfield running in from backward square leg.

The Belbroughton innings began badly for the second week running and we were 4 down with only 40 on the board. As with Himley, Tom Maidment and Matt Evans came together to repair the damage. Tom played some glorious shots in his 50, the best of which was a full bloodied pull that hit his dad who was square leg umpire. Matt and Tom took us to a victory by 6 wickets.

Halesowen CC – 108 All Out (31.3 overs)

Belbroughton CC – 109/4 (22.3 overs)

MVP – J Moorse (131 points)