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Hodges and Littler star in 25 pointer for 3B's

CBHCC Web Manager18 Jun 2018 - 11:11
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Matt Hodges hit a maiden ton and Jamie Littler took a five-fer in a convincing victory for the 3B's over Tranmere Victoria 2's

By Ian Thistlewood

Scorecard

In an exception to the rule of bowling first the 3B's decided to have a bat, and with the rain clouds swirling overhead it was anyone's guess what impact the weather would have.

The objective was to score quickly, declare and leave enough time for rain interruptions and bowling our opposition out. Ian Thistlewood and Matt Hodges set out to repeat last week's partnership and went at a brisk pace. Thistlewood fell early for 17 but Rob Williams joined Hodges and together they sped along hitting the bad ball for boundaries and running hard to keep the scoreboard ticking over.

Rob showed for the first time this season the fluency he had at the end of last season, peppering the east and west boundary, and was unfortunate to fall just after bringing up his half century, the score at 150 after 22 overs.

After an interruption for rain during which we took an early and quite exceptional tea the 3B's resumed their innings with three goals: century for Matt, maximum batting points, declare. We passed 180 in the 28th over for full batting points and by the 33rd over it was time to celebrate Matt Hodges' maiden ton. A brilliant innings of power and poise: it's extraordinary that this is Matt's first ton as his combination of technique and timing lends itself to big runs. A declaration on 220 after 33 overs, Matt on 109* and Phil Thomas 22*, afforded the 3B's a theoretical 57 overs to bowl their opposition out.

Theory met reality swiftly however. Steaming down the slope, helped by a spicy track, and with a new ball came the Jazz Train. Bang, bang, bang, bang, bang. Aiding by some good catching Jazzy was unplayable, taking 5-20 from his 9 overs, 6 of which were maidens. At the other end young Alex Cotton took his opportunity to open the bowling for the first time in senior cricket - bowling up the hill he started to find the perfect length and a return of 2-17 from his 6 over spell was a fine example of opportunity taken, and a lesson to other juniors in the virtues of patience and application.

There wasn't much left for the other bowlers but a wicket apiece for Hafi Islam, Chris Bell and Will Fisher got them into the game, and even Adam Roberts pulled out the moon balls after patiently sitting padded up for two weeks in a row. Sheehan McDonnell had a very good game behind the stumps including a superb one handed catch and a sharp stumping.

Everyone got a game, of sorts, and the 3B's bowled Tranmere Vics out for 89 in the 26th over, sealing 25 points.

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