The new season saw LCPCC 3XI visit the home of the Horses for the 3’s only “home” game of the season. Thanks to the excellent preparation of the ground by our new groundsman and his band of helpers we were able to dry the pitch to a playable condition following heavy rain the previous day – Top work fellas and much appreciated!
With a good mixture of experience and youth, the new skipper promptly welcomed the opposition and lost the toss on a damp pitch in overcast conditions. LCPCC 3XI inserted FCC and set about dismantling our top order. From 12-1 we found ourselves in all sorts of trouble at 42-4. Enter Chappers with his long handle! By the time Keffert fell with the score on 88-5 we thought a par score could be 120ish, however Chappers had other ideas. He blazed his way to a very well constructed 87 ably supported by the ex skipper Poach and Mark Byerley who both played key supporting roles. FCC 3XI eventually finished on 191 for 9, aided by 27 extras who were second top scorers.
Buoyed by the big hitting of Chappers batting performance; LCPCC 3XI were struggling from the off. A mixture of tight lines, youthful enthusiasm and experience in the form of the excellent Sophie Whittington (7-3-16-1) and Steve “Smurff” Murfitt (9-1-24-3) saw the opposition reduced to 40-4 off 16 overs. Further wickets fell with the new skipper (Lamby) chipping in with a couple of wickets (7-4-7-2) and Poach bamboozling the lower order (5-1-14-2) leaving LCPCC 3XI in all sorts of trouble at 69 for 8 in the 33rd over. A change of bowling saw Meatball (3-0-20-1) and Pies (0.4-0-3-1) wrap up the innings with a wicket a piece. With FCC 3XI bowling LCPCC 3XI out in the 38th over for 108.
A great start for the 3XI with the match being played in a great spirit. Thanks to our umpires Paul Judges and Alan Higgins (who stood in for the LCPCC umpire at short notice) and to Karen Whittington for scoring. Also thanks go to Elaine Judges who input the scores onto play cricket due to the skippers access rights being removed!
Onwards and upwards with the next game…a trip to Rustington 2XI
