3rd XI Cricket Report - Saturday 8 December
The 3rd XI, currently third on the table, played second on the table United on the School Number 1 pitch. The 3rds lost the toss and were asked to field on a beautiful Manawatu afternoon. Openers Wade McNabb and Michael Watkins started brilliantly, breaking through in the 2nd over. They maintained the pressure and United were 26-5 after 10 overs. The bowlers maintained a miserly line and length as the batsman struggled to get started on a pitch that gave some variable bounce. In the end, United were dismissed for 68 in 32.5 overs. Mr Vindriis 3-6, Michael Watkins 3-17, Wade McNabb 2-12. Viliami Vakapuna and Mr Black chipped in with a wicket each. The 3rds started aggressively with the bat but lost a wicket in the first over. Charlie Justice and Cooper Ryder kept playing with intent but were both dismissed by the 10th over the score 35-3. A few more quick wickets fell and at 42-6 the game hung in the balance. Viliami and Wade kept the score ticking over before Alex Hazelton played a big swinging cameo to bring the game home. 69-7 off 23 overs, a win by 3 wickets. Cooper Ryder 12, Alex Hazelton 9 not out, Wade McNabb 8 not out. There is one more game before the Christmas break next week.