3rd XI v. Shenley Village Archives

Willoughby Delivers With Maiden Ton

Having run through their previous opponents, visitors Shenley Village once again elected to bowl first, having won the toss. However, they found things harder going as Paul Garrott and Rob Willoughby made a spirited start. Garrott was looking in good early form making 16. Mike Robertson replaced him after he was bowled with the score on 43. Robertson set about things quickly exploiting the pace of the bowlers and the speed of the outfield. In no time he had multiple boundaries to his name. He raced to 32 before falling LBW. Meanwhile, Willoughby kept steady and at no point looked like being under pressure. Marcus J.E. Baker supported Willoughby as he delivered. It had been due for some time, but a drive through the covers gave Willoughby his maiden century. A day to remember! He would carry his bat taking Reed to a score of 255 for 4. Baker 45 and Zac Conley 28 not out, helping out. Early wickets to Toby Emes and Kieran McInna put the pressure on the visitors but in Elliot and Williams Reed faced two of the best batsman in the division. It took time and patience but Maseeh Naeem was able to dislodge Williams for 22. Steve Hughes started where he left off from last season with another fantastic spell, he was able to pick up two wickets with aid of magical catches by Garrott and his son Rhodri. Elliot was always a risk but when he fell for 89 it gave Reed the advantage and they were not going throw it away. Superb ground fielding in the deep stopped the boundaries and also brought around two run outs. As Reed saw off the last few wickets one fell [...]

Superior run rate gives 3s first win

It’s not the type of victory one likes but was certainly more than welcomed to get the 3s' first 30 points of the season. A second heavy deluge of rain prematurely ended what was shaping into an exciting second innings. The visiting Shenley Village had won the toss and inserted Reed. Paul Garrott and Rob Willoughby did the hard work in putting together a hundred-run opening stand despite a rain delay. Willoughby (33) eventually fell in the 24th over to be replaced by Martin Johnson (6) before also losing his wicket to the bowling of Darmji. Garrott meanwhile was crafting a crucial knock. The score reached 131 before he picked out gully for 69. M.J.E. Baker and Rhodri Hughes (15) both new to the crease were just starting to settle in when a poor call from Baker left Hughes short of his ground. It was crucial for another partnership to be formed and Ben Moody stood with his captain superbly. As the innings approached a close, Baker and Moody took greater chances as they approached 200. Baker was bowled for 39. New signing Jean-Marc Maujean (6) batted selflessly for the team whilst Moody (28*) took Reed to 213 for 6. Despite good spells from Steve Hughes and Jack Childs, Manzi and Mitesh held out against Reed's opening bowlers. Wickets seem to slip past Reed with chances just out of reach. Meanwhile the visitors were getting themselves into a strong winning position. Maseeh Naeem and Baker slowed up the run rate before both struck with consecutive deliveries putting shock and confusion into the Shenley camp. But then, rain! A 45-minute heavy downpour made the pitch and outfield un-playable. The score was 101 for 2 from 24 [...]