11/5/2019

Saturday 11th May 19
Dartford 3rd's Vs Bexleyheath 3rd's

The brave soldiers of the 3rd’s made their way to the ground with dark clouds looming knowing the 2nds and 4ths already did not want to test their waterproof ability and had already cancelled their games.
After a very professional, if perhaps a little confusing, warm up, the Skipper went up for the toss and indeed won, shame Conner wasnt as good with his passport than he was with the coin!! Conner decided to field first with a track that was a little damp, but to be fair to Dartford, considering the amount of rain in the morning, it was in pretty good condition. The skippers decided with the clouds threatening it was a good idea to reduce the overs to 36 from the start.
Heaths got straight in to it, Sam finding a good line and making the pitch work for him, Jake went for a different option of a full toss at the batsman’s head! Sam’s good start was rewarded almost immediately by bowling the opening bat then getting another caught behind. Jake continued to struggle, making Craig wear a couple behind the stumps before he surprised everyone, including the batsman, with a line and length ball hitting top of off stump.
A couple of comedy walking on and off the pitch moments while it decided if it was gonna rain or not ensued until the weather gave us no doubts and the heavens opened up. A plan was formulated by the skippers to have tea early then play through, which turned out to be a stroke of genius. After tea the cover debacle began but once it was finally removed, it revealed a track that had gotten no worse despite the heavy rain.
Little Jack began bowling, getting his usual good shape to the ball and restricting the runs with Harry Bowling with good pace from the other end, both getting wickets they deserved. The skipper brought himself on to see how many young bunny rabbits he could shoot out, and the return of Jake from the opposite end restricting the opposition. Jake bowled well, using the pitch this time to good affect. Dartford 89 for 9 off of their 36 overs, Heath couldn’t quite get that last wicket.
Time for the Bexleyheath reply. The pitch was starting to dry a little which caused a few surprise bounces, but nothing too outrageous as Heath started positively. Woodsy trying to cream everything for 4, eventually connecting with a couple be for being caught behind with an edge that everyone at the ground appeared to hear except woodsy. A couple of quick wickets then fell, testing Heath's resolve. Hughesy and fish settled the ship a little, Craig showing the bowler the wall while Hughesy tried to put everything into orbit, connecting infrequently. Craig was then caught behind bring George to the crease who was initially tied in knots by a very good 10 year. Then George was clearly in a rush to finish and a late flurry of 4’s the game was over, Heath win by 6 wickets with 15 overs to spare.
A very good all round performance, great start to the league.

Man of the match and author of the above match report: Dave Hughes