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Profile The third team play in the Hampshire Regional third division (South West). They are now captained by opening bowler Pete Johnson. The club is genuinely optimistic that the young players who populate the side will take the lead from their more experienced colleagues and propel the team further up the Hampshire Leagues. Nevertheless, the key to the threes setting competitive scores in 2008 may come in the form experienced all rounder Jim Metcalfe and wicket keeper batsman Steve Vibert. Pete Johnson is likely to lead the chase for the bowling cup again but the team also relies on the reliable back up of Danny Toop, Jim Metcalfe and Martin Waller amongst others. The third team play 42 over games starting at 2.00. During the summer they train at Fernhill on Tuesday nights starting at 6.30. 2007 Season Review by Outgoing Captain Mark Jones Despite a disappointing season, there were a lot of positives to take out of the 2007 campaign. An amazing 28 different players were selected to play in the Debbie Magee's, and the same side did not play in the season! Looking back on the 5-7 season, it could have been so different. The final over defeats in the games against Trojans, Milford and Pylewell Park could so easily have ended in our favour, and batting collapses chasing low totals against Bashley and Bransgore would've put us at the top of the pile. There were 2 stand out batsman this Season. Tom Prodomo was the only batsman to score over 200 hundred runs. On the first day of the season he made his first senior 50, and followed it up 3 months with a fantastic 120* not out and lead us home to our only successful run chase of the season. The other was Pete Johnson (Pistol) who, again, scored his first senior 50 on the season's opener. He constantly increased the run rate when required, and accumulated runs better than anyone this year. Jon Nicholls was cruelly stolen from us after his cracking start to the season, but he provided that he has what it takes to play in the ones. The supporting cast included: Jim Metcalfe who scored 2 fifties, with Myself and Martin Waller scoring one 50 a piece. However, our batting let us down this year, but the Mudeford chase of 224 must give us confidence going into next year. I must also mention the Bandit Matt Freeman's maiden ton against Milford that included some of the best striking I've seen with 8 sixes and only 2 fours. Our Bowling was fantastic this season. Perhaps gave away a few too many extras, but our bowling attack had to be up there amongst the best in the league. Pistol was the pick of the bowling who took 21 wickets (in 112 overs) and an economy rate of less than 3. Toopy took 16 wickets, and Jim took 11 who both claimed 5 fors. Martin Waller (9 wickets) also provided able support. Adam Jessop also bowled well without any luck and is rapidly improving. I was also impressed by some of our young talent. In particular, Akeel Joseph, Arun Mohan and Alex Bishop all bowled fantastically and will be taking stacks of wickets for years to come. Our fielding was, most of the time, excellent. Waller set the standard, and didn't drop a catch all season. Steve Toop made some wonderful stops in the covers, and Junior (Danny) made one the best running catches I've seen down at West Moors. Akeel Joseph showed he has a safe pair of hands, and Dale Wakefield proved that he is one of the best fielders in the club on numerous occasions. Random Thought: My highlight of the season has got to be the last game, where the umpire asked me how many overs Pistol could bowl….classic! Cheers for everybody's commitment and effort this year. It has been an honour to lead you guys and next year we'll win the league! |
