3s victorious at home to Beckington

The 3s welcomed Beckington to Ramsbury on a bright and sunny afternoon. Beckington won the toss and had no hesitation in inserting the 3s on a (Very) green top. When Suds Prabhu (1) was bowled in the third over by Hayes, it appeared to be the correct decision.
However Jason McGinley and Matty Baker knuckled down well and saw off the early new ball threat posed by the Beckington opening bowlers. McGinley was caught via a leading edge in the 10th over for 14, bringing Nathan White to the crease.

On a difficult wicket with uneven bounce, coupled with some tight Beckington bowling, the run rate was slow and boundaries difficult to come by. White and Baker built a 60 run partnership, Baker dominating the run scoring with some muscular shots through the covers. White struggled for fluency throughout, before offering a simple catch to mid-off in the 25th over to be dismissed for 19, with the score on 89.
Christy Millar strode to the crease with confidence and immediately began to up the run rate, playing some trade mark drives and sweep shots. Baker was dismissed in the 30th over for a well made 53, caught attempting to go over the infield.
Harry Chevis joined Millar and immediately they began to capitalise on some poor bowling, Chevis finding the boundary at will, with Millar continuing to drive and sweep his way to the boundary. Both were dismissed attempting to score quick runs, Millar for 34, and Chevis for 38.
With 3 overs to go the 3s innings was in danger of losing momentum, however Lee Pearson had other ideas, and played a great cameo at the end to finish on 22 not out. James Parkinson and Nisarg Nagar both supporting him to score 2 runs apiece.
After a good tea made by Captain Andy Mildenhall’s ex-wife (one can only wonder how he’s repaying the favour), Nisar and Chevis took the new ball. Nisar made the early breakthrough, Rostell LBW for 6. After a sustained period of pressure, Nagar struck again, James Parkinson taking a stunning catch running back from mid-on, although he did injure himself in the process, to dismiss C Harfield for 9.
Chevis would take the next wicket, Hayes caught and bowled immediately after hitting 2 aesthetic boundaries. This brought L Harfield to the crease, and he, along with opener McNaught, would go about building a significant partnership.
The scoring rate remained somewhat pedestrian until the 27th over, when Harfield began to open his shoulders and find the boundary with increasing regularity. Nathan White took the majority of the punishment, one maximum disappearing well over the boundary. Andy Mildenhall was more economical from the other end, and got the important wicket of Harfield in his final over, well caught by Suds Prabhu in the covers.
As White and Midlenhall finished their spells, it was left to Prabhu and Jason McGinley to defend 91 off the last 11 overs. The Beckington lower order did not have the quality of their top order and wickets began to fall at regular intervals. The game was all but over when opener McNaught was dismissed in the 42nd over for 52, receiving the man of the match award for the 3s in the process.
Four maximum’s in the last three overs kept Beckington interested, however Jason McGinley kept his nerve to ensure Beckington never threatened the 3s total. McGinley and Prabhu finished with 3 and 2 wickets respectively, McGinley being particularly impressive. A special mention must go to Lee Pearson for an outstanding piece of sportsmanship in the penultimate over, conceding that he had taken a catch over the boundary.
A fantastic team performance from the 3s with absolutely everyone contributing, we go again next week with the away trip to Bath Hospitals.

MOTM – Beckington overseas opener McNaught (special mention Harry Chevis for his all round contribution)
DOTD – James Parkinson, 6 hours in A and E after landing on the ball, great catch or not.
Tea Rating - 8/10, see aforementioned comment regarding the teas
Shower Rating – 4/10, good temperature but the coverage is poor