Petersfield CC 3rd XI vs Grayswood CC 3rd XI

The 3s got their season off to a winning start with an exciting 3-wicket win on Saturday against Grayswood 3s. Captain James Stratford-Tuke called correctly at the toss and had no hesitation in asking Grayswood to bat on a showery, blustery, three-sweater day, the team primed for action thanks to John Windebank’s thigh-crunching pre-match warm-up drills. The early season Penns wicket was a good one, however, and despite some fine bowling from Ben Cox and u13 Ben Turk, who was making his senior debut, Matthews and White put on 50 for the first wicket. After a short rain break Rob Anscombe, also making his debut for the 3s, had White caught behind by emergency keeper Dave Squires, a terrific effort standing up to the wicket. The excellent Turk bowled Matthews for 50 with a peach of a delivery – his first wicket in senior cricket – while Alex Squires removed Izzard for 4. Richards then went on the attack with a hard-hitting 64 that included five 4s and four 6s. Although Ben Cox deservedly picked up a wicket to finish with outstanding figures of 10-4-16-1, Grayswood made the most of some loose deliveries to finish on 189 for 4 after 42 overs, a challenging total. Stratford-Tuke and Windebank started steadily in reply before both falling to Jackson. Ben Anscombe and Ben Cox then went cheaply leaving’ Field staring down the barrel at 69 for 4. Things looked bleak, not least during a torrential downpour, but a superb 61-run partnership for the 5th wicket between Paddy May and Rob Anscombe started to turn the match Petersfield’s way, the run-rate never dropping far below what was required. When May was bowled for a fluent 57 there was still much to do with the score standing at 130 for 5, but Anscombe (62*) then took charge, capitalising on every scoring opportunity and expertly shepparding the lower-middle order as he steered ‘Field home in near darkness with 7 balls to spare – a top-class effort. This was an excellent season-opener played in a great spirit by the two teams. Well done to the two Bens, Anscombe and Turk, on their senior debuts, and Rob Anscombe for his man-of-the-match performance. But the true heroine of the hour was Sally S-T, who provided the emergency tea! PS. For those who are wondering, ‘Field’s stodgy no. 7, plus the injured app scorer, did make the last 10 minutes of a fundraising concert that evening, which meant that Mrs T only went semi-ballistic as opposed to full-on thermonuclear – so a good day all round!