The 3s Climb off the Bottom with First League Win.

Saturday Saw the 3rd XI come up against fellow strugglers Mersham Sports in what was already a must win match and in footballing terms a 6pointer.

After winning the toss Bexley decided to bat on what was an exceptionally hot day. We started well getting to 28-0 in the 9th over unfortunately in the 12th over we were 28-3, losing both openers Rohan and Humza and then Abhishek first ball.

Newell and Stroudley picked up the pieces and started to steady the ship before Newell was out LBW sweeping; this meant Hathrill joint Stroudley at the crease and these two batted superbly before Hathrill was bowled trying to work the ball to leg for a well-made 37 and then Stroudley made it to another 50 before he was bowled by their left arm quick.

Nathan Harris was pushed up to seven and he hit two huge sixes, one straight down the ground and another on the pull over square leg, before falling on the last ball of the innings going for another maximum; Bexley ended on 190-8 on what looked a wicket that wasn’t the easiest to get in.

After a fantastic tea, Bexley took to the field. In the first over Mersham unfortunately lost one of their openers due to injury taking a quick single. Joe Russell bowling up the hill, was hitting fantastic areas and was letting the pitch do the work and removed the other opener who was attempting to go big downtown.

Unfortunately it wasn’t Mark’s day and Captain Lush took over from the top end and bowled tightly and runs were difficult to come by for Mersham and the pressure was certainly showing. Joe carried on taking wickets and took the big wicket of the Mersham captain A Cook. After 5 overs Lush was struggling with the heat and his long run, but managed to trap Fagg plumb LBW and ended up bowling 7 overs 1 for 17.

Somehow Russell was still bowling up the hill and was still picking up wickets, he finished his spell with 12 overs 5 for 37; an exceptional spell especially considering the heat. Abhishek took over from the top end and bowled tidily outside off and new boy Humza created problems bowling up the hill. Humza picked up one wicket whilst Abs picked up two to wrap up the tail.

A fantastic effort considering the importance of the match and we fielded the best so far this year, keeping superb concentration with the extreme heat.