3s beat Hadlow 2s

If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?" is a philosophical question that has been troubling deep thinkers for centuries. The match against Hadlow was to give rise to another deep conundrum.

For the first time ever, we had a real choice at selection for the 3rd XI and were able to pick a good looking side. Well, good looking on paper anyway.

Skinner, who has clearly spent too long with his mentor and role model Tim Croom, lost the toss and, on a hot day, it was no surprise that Hadlow chose to bat.

Jamie Baker opened the bowling down the slope. He seems to improve each week and is becoming more consistent. Max Patton opened up the hill. He has a lovely smooth action and, despite the disadvantage of going to a school that is rubbish at sport, looks like he will turn into a very good cricketer. His figures in two spells were 8-2-29-0

Hadlow, as you would expect from a League team had some decent bats.

With the mercury rising it was no surprise that bowlers fancied a breather. Dan Melvin, on debut, replaced Baker. His left arm over is decidedly sharp and with a basic delivery short of a length into the right hander he made life uncomfortable for them.

Which brings us nicely to our big philosophical debate.

If the fielder does not get his hands to the ball, is it a dropped catch?

One miscued pull saw the ball fly high into the sky just in front of the batsman. Melvin was calmly walking to take the catch when, his so called mate, Sam Davies shouted “Keeper’s ball”. The ball fell to the ground between the stationary bowler and keeper.

Was it a dropped catch?

The issue matters greatly. If it was a drop then, in the innings, we missed about 8 chances.

Your match reporter is struggling to remember all of them, or the order in which they happened. But in addition to the first **** up, in this glorious farrago of incompetence and miscommunication:-

Callum Macias, fielding with his usual enthusiasm, came charging in from the boundary, only for the ball to land just where he had been

Dave Patton misjudged one in the covers with the ball landing untouched just to his left

Gutteridge called for a looping return catch only to decide at the last minute that the sun was in his eyes so he left it well alone

Baker and Baker left one to each other

There were more such instances. Oddly we fielded quite well apart, from the inability to get our hands on numerous chances. Manctelow took two, including a great catch down the leg side. There was also a decent run out and no lack of effort under the sun.

Sam Davies replaced Max Patton and looked useful. He hits the track hard and gets movement.his figures were 5-1-15-2.

Melvin bowled 4 sharp overs taking two wickets for 14 runs. He would have had another but his “mate” Davies put a chance down at midwicket.

Gutteridge, who had loudly announced before the game, with his decades of experience that it was definitely better to bowl up the slope, decided he’d actually rather bowl downhill. With an urgent dose of cod liver oil, a quick spray of WD-40 on his shoulder and after popping a little blue triangular pill, he managed to get his bowling arm up and keep it up. His off spin was tricky to get away and he bowled seven good overs conceding only 25 runs for his one wicket.

Callum Macias bowled well and ended with fine figures on 4-0-19-2. One was a sharply taken caught and bowled.

Baker came back at the death and bowled the Hadlow no 6, who had hit a useful 55. Baker finished with7-1-37-1.

Hadlow finished on 144 for 9 off their 35 overs.

Manktelow and Klimcke formed an exotic sounding opening partnership. Mancktelow looked good, if a little rusty, and hit 5 boundaries before falling to a good running catch for 21.

Nigel Baker was in at 3. He looked steady after his heroics last week. He had reached 11 before falling to a tremendous one handed catch.

The opposition attack was decent. Bradney in particular was a very good bowler, causing all end of issues. Klimcke played and missed on numerous occasions but hung on in there. When he hits the ball, he hits it hard and cleanly. He needs to buy some kit and run the first run harder but he will be a real asset to the club.

Sam Davies was in at 4. He immediately looked comfortable and had hit two great boundaries before inexplicably dangling his bat and edging behind for 8.

Melvin was in next. He looks a tasty bat and accompanied Klimcke well, reaching 17 unbeaten at the end. Klimcke was 77 not out, and suitably sweaty, at the end.

A great win, by 7 wickets with 7 overs to spare.