Three from three for the mighty 3s

On the hottest Saturday of the year, the Llamas travelled to Sunbury to take on a side renowned for being youthful.

Winning the toss, Simon opted to field first in the hope that a very strong bowling line up could get through the Sunbury line up quick smart. It wasn’t long before Briggsy picked up the first and had Southby caught by Fraser - a swipe across the line which went straight up and would have probably been a vertical 6. The cry of “Fraser’s... oh god” brought a wry smile to the Llamas.

The second wicket wasn’t far away, this time a more conventional nick, albeit a feather of an edge, as the Briggs-McGuinness combo teamed up again - 12-2. At the other end, George Elliston got into the act, having Rathore well caught at gully by Ant. Briggsy continued from the pavilion end, as another Toby (Roland-Jones) was giving the 1s top order a working over on the main pitch. A third to Briggsy (4-14) as he yorked Singh for 1, and in his final over of his 8 over spell picked up the wicket of Bitmead as the delivery grazed the bails and they came off.

Mobeen joined the attack and was soon wobbling it away, with the batsmen struggling to play him. He finally got one through the gate of Chadha to pick up his sole wicket of the day. At the other end, young Jacob was getting to swing it late into the right handers. Up to this stage, Singh (17) had played a very patient and watchful innings. However the first three deliveries rapped him on the pads, with the third and final shout for LBW getting the decision he deserved.

Once Mobeen had completed his 8 over spell, it was time for spin in the shape of Sri. Straight away he got into his rhythm bowling a straight line to a 6/3 field - brave. George replaced Jacob at the Tree End, and saw an edge go straight to first slip - where Briggsy would have been had George not moved him to mid wicket. It didn’t take long for George to get his second wicket, as he bowled Maskery for 5. George (2-23) now was getting his tail up, and he bowled some pretty fast deliveries for third XI cricket. He alas finished his 8 overs with no further success.

Sri mopped up at the other end as the Llamas bowled out Sunbury for 110, or 106 (the scorecard was inconclusive).

After the tea break, Sri and Fraser went out and started off as they had done in previous seasons. Quick to punish anything short or overpitched, the lads traded boundaries with Sri also adding a 6 into the trees in his quick fire 26. Will Dahl replaced Sri, but he was soon back in the hutch as checked a drive and was caught at mid on for 0. This brought Ant to the crease, desperate to get a red inker to get his average up among the legends of 3rd XI batting. Under pressure to deliver in front of his parents who made the early trip up from Poole, Ant was in belligerent mood, and was happy to play second fiddle to Fraser. Fraser continued on from his fine form for 3s over the last two seasons which has seen him average over 40.

Fraser went to a well earned 50, but was soon back in the shade of the horse chestnut tree when he was bowled round his legs by left arm seamer Maskery. This brought Hugo Leefe to the crease on his third team debut. Now Hugo started the day with a logistical nightmare. Living in Maida Vale, his kit and car still at the family home in Newdigate. So trains to Dorking, followed by a pick up by his mum he finally got his kit and was on his way to Sunbury. Terrible work there, perfect Llama material!

Anyway, Hugo (10*) was understandably keen to make a good impression when he got out that he almost ran Ant out twice. Ant decided that he’d take his mode of dismissal into his own hands by tamely driving to mid-off with just a handful needed.

Never fun going into bat with single figures to get and plenty of overs, plus the Sunbury side had got their hackles up. Young Jacob was weathering the storm well, and it wasn’t long before he hit the winning runs through midwicket and 20 deserving points firmly in the Llamas back pocket.

Next week the Llamas travel up to Wimbledon, where the fixture has been moved to the Sunday and the lads get a chance to play at Wimbledon’s main ground.