Another tough loss for the Thirds
The 3rd team suffered a 5th successive league defeat, this time by 8 wickets to a strong Turners Hill 1st team. Once again the batting was frail as they succumbed to 86 all out against the fast and hostile pace attack of Jez Tobin and Charlie Harris and the accuracy of first change bowler Brennie Dias Mendes. Tobin and Harris bowled for the first 27 overs of the Hill innings, claiming 5 wickets between them but then the gentler pace of Dias Mendes 4-21 accounted for the middle/lower order, as once again poor shots and application cost Hill dear. Only Ukesh Mittal 17, who opened and skipper Paul Elphick 33, reached double figures.
In reply Turners Hill reached their target with only 2 wickets down in the 17th over, as Dias Mendes completed a man of the match performance with an unbeaten half century, as the visitors looked untroubled in their chase. Encouraging signs were that the father/daughter combination of Alec and Charley Hepburn both returned from injury and claimed a wicket each. Also new member Niall Allen, featured with both bat and ball, having not played for a couple of years he certainly has some potential.
Hopefully availability is better across the club this weekend as the 3rds make the short trip to Hurstpierpoint 1st team.