Back
Sat 30 Jun 2018 · Premier Division - 3rd XI
3rd XIWimbledon CC - 3rd XI
150
168
Title hopes dented after 3s fail to close out chase
Antony Ireland4 Jul 2018 - 16:28
Share via
Bowlers restrict Dons to 168. Batsmen throw it away. By Antony Ireland
The 3s subsided to a devastating defeat against Wimbledon on Saturday, dealing their title hopes a major blow. Having again bowled superbly in baking heat to restrict the league leaders to just 168 all out in 52 overs, the batting line-up subsided from 132-5 to 150 all out.
On what looked like a belting day for batting, captain Ant Ireland maintained his stubborn approach to time cricket of inserting the oppo no matter what. Shayne Cossey (2-13) and Elliot Lodge (1-38) got the Llamas off to a tight start, keeping the run rate to just two for the first 12 overs.
Steve Cross (2-41) and Nick Rotsey (1-17) capitalised on the pressure and made early inroads, and when James Brickley’s (2-22) probing spell yielded two more wickets – including a stunning leaping one-handed grab from Andy Murray Harry McInley – Wimbledon were in big trouble at 98-6 from 35 overs.
Nick Gavigan (2-13) – back from National Service as specialist fielder for the 2s - wasn’t even used until the 38th over but continued his wicket-taking form, chipping away at the tail, though a plucky 68 from gobby keeper Cooper lifted Wimbledon into the realms of a defendable target.
By the time Cossey and Gavigan mopped up proceedings, Wimbledon had crawled to 168 from 52 overs and the Llamas tucked into their teas proud and wholly optimistic.
That optimism was dealt a swift double blow when two form men Harry McInley and David Loft were removed in consecutive balls in the first over, leaving the home side reeling at 5-2.
Ireland and McGuinnes set about rebuilding in a counterattacking fashion, flaying 62 together in just 12 overs (often at ankle height directly between the keeper and first slip, but who cares?) before McGuiness was bowled sweeping by leg-spinner de Silva for 29.
Nick Rosey was in no mood for nurdling and smashed 24 in 16 balls before being bowled by an absolute peach from the highly impressive veteran Arthur Crocker, who was far more dangerous than his silver hair, chimney-sweep name or normal role as 4s captain would suggest.
Crocker had the wood over Srikanth Vuppala (4), who had about 15 wild swipes in a row at him before hitting one for four then being promptly cleaned up. Having been in the box seat, the Llamas were now tottering at 116-5.
Ireland and Steve Cross steadied the ship for half an hour before a miscommunicated quick single sent a fuming Cross packing. Ireland and Cross spent a good hour talking in circles about the run in the bar, and the conclusion was that Ireland’s pre-pubescent voice box had failed to propel the call of ‘yes’ quite far enough to reach Crossy’s cloggy ears in a light cross-breeze.
This wicket proved crucial as Gavigan couldn’t break out of hermit crab mode and Ireland struggled to get the accurate Crocker away. Pressure began to build and de Silva smelt blood.
He removed Gavigan and Ireland fell soon after for 68, also sweeping, bringing to a premature end what would have been a hugely satisfying captain’s knock given the relentless abuse he had received for much of his innings from the whinging Dons (aggrieved by an earlier not out decision).
This left Cossey (12) to knock off the runs with the support of Lodge and Brickley but his attempts proved futile against an attack with their tails up, and the Llamas were dismissed 18 runs shy, with de Silva taking five.
It was a game that, with better application from the batsmen, we should have won, which makes defeat all the tougher to swallow.
Victory would have blown the table wide open with just one win separating the top five. As it turned out, we now languish three wins behind Wimbledon in fifth. A 48-pointer of a game it was indeed.
Many expletives were shed, many consolation beers were sunk, and now we move on. Victory over the rest of the top five and the Dons in the return fixture could see us back into contention, but we have a mountain to climb.
On what looked like a belting day for batting, captain Ant Ireland maintained his stubborn approach to time cricket of inserting the oppo no matter what. Shayne Cossey (2-13) and Elliot Lodge (1-38) got the Llamas off to a tight start, keeping the run rate to just two for the first 12 overs.
Steve Cross (2-41) and Nick Rotsey (1-17) capitalised on the pressure and made early inroads, and when James Brickley’s (2-22) probing spell yielded two more wickets – including a stunning leaping one-handed grab from Andy Murray Harry McInley – Wimbledon were in big trouble at 98-6 from 35 overs.
Nick Gavigan (2-13) – back from National Service as specialist fielder for the 2s - wasn’t even used until the 38th over but continued his wicket-taking form, chipping away at the tail, though a plucky 68 from gobby keeper Cooper lifted Wimbledon into the realms of a defendable target.
By the time Cossey and Gavigan mopped up proceedings, Wimbledon had crawled to 168 from 52 overs and the Llamas tucked into their teas proud and wholly optimistic.
That optimism was dealt a swift double blow when two form men Harry McInley and David Loft were removed in consecutive balls in the first over, leaving the home side reeling at 5-2.
Ireland and McGuinnes set about rebuilding in a counterattacking fashion, flaying 62 together in just 12 overs (often at ankle height directly between the keeper and first slip, but who cares?) before McGuiness was bowled sweeping by leg-spinner de Silva for 29.
Nick Rosey was in no mood for nurdling and smashed 24 in 16 balls before being bowled by an absolute peach from the highly impressive veteran Arthur Crocker, who was far more dangerous than his silver hair, chimney-sweep name or normal role as 4s captain would suggest.
Crocker had the wood over Srikanth Vuppala (4), who had about 15 wild swipes in a row at him before hitting one for four then being promptly cleaned up. Having been in the box seat, the Llamas were now tottering at 116-5.
Ireland and Steve Cross steadied the ship for half an hour before a miscommunicated quick single sent a fuming Cross packing. Ireland and Cross spent a good hour talking in circles about the run in the bar, and the conclusion was that Ireland’s pre-pubescent voice box had failed to propel the call of ‘yes’ quite far enough to reach Crossy’s cloggy ears in a light cross-breeze.
This wicket proved crucial as Gavigan couldn’t break out of hermit crab mode and Ireland struggled to get the accurate Crocker away. Pressure began to build and de Silva smelt blood.
He removed Gavigan and Ireland fell soon after for 68, also sweeping, bringing to a premature end what would have been a hugely satisfying captain’s knock given the relentless abuse he had received for much of his innings from the whinging Dons (aggrieved by an earlier not out decision).
This left Cossey (12) to knock off the runs with the support of Lodge and Brickley but his attempts proved futile against an attack with their tails up, and the Llamas were dismissed 18 runs shy, with de Silva taking five.
It was a game that, with better application from the batsmen, we should have won, which makes defeat all the tougher to swallow.
Victory would have blown the table wide open with just one win separating the top five. As it turned out, we now languish three wins behind Wimbledon in fifth. A 48-pointer of a game it was indeed.
Many expletives were shed, many consolation beers were sunk, and now we move on. Victory over the rest of the top five and the Dons in the return fixture could see us back into contention, but we have a mountain to climb.
Further reading
Team Sponsors
