Third XI Captain's Report, 2009 Season

Having missed out on promotion through losing the final league game, it would be easy to allow disappointment to cloud memories of this season. Don't go there!

This was a really fantastic year in many respects. As a third team we achieved our best ever finish (5th* in Regional South 1), following a relegation struggle in the previous season. During the summer, we were involved in a number of thrilling games of cricket, four of which went right to the wire. Did we overachieve? The answer to this is a definite 'NO' given the fact that we beat all four teams finishing above us.

Last year I commented that, in order to survive at this level, we would need to improve our batting. Although still fragile at times, this was achieved with four main players achieving decent run aggregates. Once again Olly's ability and temperament to play match-winning knocks shone through in the second half of the season. Ian Farley added experience and stability at the top of the order, Fraz showed maturing promise, and the skipper scored consistent runs in the middle order. Added to this, there were also many useful contributions from the lower order batting.

The bowling, although a little one-dimensional at times and lacking a genuine spin option (sorry Olly!), still did us proud on many occasions. Ian Clark, for the second year running, achieved an impressive haul of wickets, and Les nagged away with his usual accuracy without that much luck at times. Mike Edwards made a welcome return to the side, showing a new-found consistency. He would have taken more wickets if his best balls had not been unplayable for batsmen at this level.

Special mention must go to the leading wicket-taker Steve Roberts for a tremendous year. As well as moving the ball away, he also trapped a few good top-order batsmen with the in-swinger. He may have lost some pace, but, having played with Robbo for two and half decades, I would say that I have never seen him bowl so consistently well. I hope there's still some fuel left in the engine for another year!

My other top highlights of this memorable year are, in no particular order of merit:

• Steve Whitlam's 75 not out to rescue a seemingly lost game versus Rowner.
• Paul Tosdevin's bludgeoning 100 versus West Moors.
• Tosters' and the skipper's 149-run fifth-wicket partnership in the same game.
• Chris Spackman's devestating spell of 5-31 against Curdridge. The most hostile fast-bowling I have seen for a long time in any Hampshire league game.
• Olly (57 no) and our 'tail end' batsmen Robbo, Ian Clark and Les adding 97 runs in quick time to pull off the most unlikely of victories against Bransgore.
• Fraser's first league fifty against Hyde.
• Olly's superbly crafted 97 not out against Hyde.
• Ian Farley's slip catching was excellent all year, and particularly memorable off Spackers' missiles at Curdridge.
• Jake Scott's catching against CBBEA and generally superb ground fielding.
• Rob Carpenter's catching and fantastic attitude. Rob, you're my top tip for a developing young cricketer in 2010!

On a personal level, I would like to than everybody involved with the 3rd team for making the captain's job such an enjoyable one. My senior pros (and there's plenty of those in this team!) were always a great support.

The following people contributed greatly to our success and I thank them for the time and energy they have selflessly devoted to our cause: Sandra Moon and Keith Spicer (scorers), Terry White, Ian Black and an injured Les Orr (umpires), June Carpenter (kitchen chores), Steve Roberts (wicket roller).

A special mention for Ian Clark in his role of Chair of Selectors. The club's growing strength has inevitably resulted in some difficult selection decisions, and some disappointment from players. I know that Ian always acted with fairness to all, showing no personal agenda or favoritism. I feel his job would have been easier if all club members could see the 'bigger picture' and respect more the integrity of the selection committee.

Whinge over! On a final positive note, I would like to say what a pleasure it is after 30 years to continue being part of this great club. Congratulations to Fred and Jason for their teams' terrific seasons, and well done to Mark and the 4th team for a good overall season. Our strength is our togetheness and the absence of any superstar status, something which is by no means common to all clubs.

Most important of all: however hard we play to win and improve our status as a club, we continue to play for the fun of it. Anyone around for the end-of-season celebrations at the clubhouse and Moja's will know that there is still plenty of fun and humour left in us.

Greg Horton
September 2009

[* The third team moved up to 4th place in the league after this report was written due to another club incurring a late penalty]