Dartford v 3rd XI

Another good win for the 3’s against a good Dartford outfit. Steve won the toss and made the easy decision to bat first with the weather the best of the season so far, but the pattern of the Heaths innings followed previous weeks, getting off to a reasonable start before a mini top order collapse. Ben was the best of the opening order scoring 29 before he topped edge a pull come drive to mid-on, but if the oppo had played game and didn’t employ a mid-off he could well have tonned up, as drive after drive found the big mitts of the well positioned fielder. At 84 for 5 once again the salvage of the inning was indebted to the middle order youngsters, Dyab (29) and Mitchell (28) put on a splendid 61 run partnership that was a pleasure to watch, definitely two young men that will be gracing a much higher standard of cricket in the not too distant future. Their stand made Connor Barry’s return innings to 3’s cricket that bit easier and left those watching how could the 2’s could let he go, as he smashed 32 not out from just 18 balls, finishing off the inning with a straight six, to register 186 for 8 at tea, and what a great tea it was, well done the Dartford staff. Well-fed the Heath bowlers started steady if not spectacular, Dartford passed the 50 with only a couple of Connor wickets in credit. Ryan & Mitchell picked up a wicket apiece as first changers, but to their praise kept the scoring quiet enough to make sure the Dartford’s run rate required kept increasing although it must be said, all the time Dartford’s 16 year old no.3 Pravan Thind was still at the crease, there was still the possibility of this one slipping away. It wasn’t till Nick Parnham’s second spell that a flurry of wickets fell. Nick bowled fiercely at the tail helping himself to 3 wickets. Connor pulled off one of the hardest hit return catches to finally dismiss Pravan 3 short of 50, but Dartford’s 10 and Jack held firm to the end, finishing on 145 for 9, Heath winning by a comfortable 41 runs. An excellent game and compliments should go to both teams for the standard of cricket, as this game could have easily passed scrutiny as a Div 5 Kent League second XI fixture. Just time left to award the Man of Match, this week Connor Barry muzzles ahead with an excellent all-round performance with bat and ball, 3 wickets and 32 not out.