Abject defeat as fielders and batsmen lose their minds

This was a day to forget for the 3s. Perhaps it was the intense heat. Perhaps it was the bizarre 10am start time with the anticipation of watching England v Sweden. Whatever it was, it infected the whole team and resulted in a thumping and depressing defeat that leaves us languishing at a dismal 7th in the league.

The plan was to bowl 'em out, chase 'em down, and watch the footy. It kind of worked, only the wrong way round. Sunbury slapped us around the park, and almost every fielder let one through his legs at some stage to ensure they got to 233 in just 52 overs. We were then skittled for a feeble 120. The only silver lining being that Brickers' wild swipe - the final throe of the game - came at 2.59pm - just in time for kick off and beers.

Brickers had earlier been the pick of the bowlers, racking up 4-51 in two spells. Elliot (1-60) was again without luck, repeatedly beating the bat and having yet another edge put down in the goobers. Sunbury were scoring at a run a ball for the first half of their innings, though at 85-3 there was a chance we could run through them before they reached a match-winning total. Sadly heads dropped, the fielding went from bad to worse, and an 80-run partnership saw them ominously poised at 165-3 from 30 overs.

Some harsh words were dished out by the skipper at drinks, and eventually the return of Elliot and Brickers, as well as some tight bowling from Srikanth Vuppala (1-27) restored some order. Wickets began falling and at 194-7 we were back in the game.

However, one more partnership took Sunbury to 233, before Manoj Rajarethinam (3-21) returned to mop up with two wickets in an over and Brijesh Bharatiya (1-0) brought the innings to a close in just four balls.

234 was always going to be a tough chase but with a lighting outfield it looked doable in 48 overs. Unfortunately no-one got going. Only four players (Rotsey (18), Ireland (17), Vuppala (25) and Fisher (13)) got out of double figures, and we just couldn't get any partnerships going. At 90-5 the writing was on the wall, and minds began to turn to the football.

Only a fine square cover drive by U16 debutant Keeran Kirupakaran (5*) provided something to cheer, but Sunbury were in no mood to tolerate a rearguard, and medium pacer Bedi cleaned business up with 5-16.

The Llamas eventually subsided in frail style to a whopping 113 run defeat and have to up their game if they are to avoid an unlikely relegation scrap.