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StAUSCC (155 for 3, T. Clemens 78 n.o., R. Stannard 2/24) beat StA Uni. 3rd XI (152 for 9, C. Stewart 28, S. Frankland 4/24) by 3 runs After losing the toss and being put into bat Stan and Dave made an excellent start using the pace of the new ball and the fast outfield to nudge the ball to the boundaries. Both openers looked comfortable with the score rattling along until Stan was out done by an excellent slower ball from their best bowler finishing on 13. Tom replaced him and together with Dave and some extensive help from the opposition fielders the score rose impressively to 100 off 15 overs. After being caught out on a no ball and dropped twice Dave finally bowed out for an excellent 46. By this time Tom was flying, with a huge six and several one bounce fours, and it left Prasanna and then Manu to rotate the strike to take advantage of Tom's power. We finished 155 for 3 with Tom on 78 not out, his highest ever score for the club. With the oppositions poor fielding helping us to an excellent score Matt reminded all of the need for tidy fielding. He opened the bowling and took a wicket in his first over and then another soon after. All was looking good. It was off Prasanna's bowling at the other end that Matt decided to really show the 3rd's how proper fielding is done. I think all those who witnessed Matt throwing the ball out for 4 directly behind himself realise that it was a truly unbelievable cricketing feat that may simply never ever be repeated. With some of the bowling becoming wider and the opposition batsmen starting to make progress Dave called on Gregor who started his short but excellent spell with a wicket. In his next over he bowled another and then with help from a good catch from Nick at mid wicket finished his 2 over spell 3-7 with his back in spasm. Despite wickets dropping the 3rd's were on target to reach our score. Tidy bowling from Baggers and an excellent if unrewarded spell from Alex helped reduce the run rate. Stan stepped up to do his usual stint of rabbit hunting and cut though the tail with another catch from Nick in the deep and two stumpings by fast glove work from Manu. Dave only conceded one run off his last over leaving the opposition needing 12 from the last over which proved too much for them. An excellent contest that went down to the wire, with us managing to avoid those unwanted "sheep stakes"!!!!!!
- Nicholas Owen