The 3rds hosted 2nd-placed Stokenchurch 2s on Saturday 3rd Jun knowing that a victory would see us overtake them in the league table.
We got off to a great start by winning the toss and putting them in to bat. We had to wait until the 14th over before we took our first wicket with the score on 47, Will Bibby taking a good catch off the bowling of Sam Collins. Dave Spilsbury bowled another great spell (12-2-29-0) and was unlucky not to take a few wickets.
Stokenchurch batted solidly reaching 108-3 in the 30th over. Alex Bellenie took a wicket in his third over, and from that point on, the Stokenchurch innings unraveled. Alex bowled an excellent spell, flighting the ball well and turning it down the slope. He finished with figures of 5-29 from 12 overs and Stokenchurch were all out in the final over for 138. It was a terrific bowling and fielding performance.
Nick Angus and Toby Collins started our run chase with a partnership of 47 from 11 overs before Toby was run out by a direct hit from deep mid-on for 21. Nick followed shortly afterwards for 22. That brought together Tom Ling and Freddie Smith, who both scored quickly to take us past the Stokenchurch total with 20 overs to spare, Freddie finishing 51no and Tom 36no.
A really strong performance in all departments lifts us to 2nd in the table, just two points behind the leaders, Tiddington 3rds.