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The pressure of being 1 out of 1 meant that in order to save a mid-twenties crisis, Andrew "Mr T" Goodliffe had to take a well earned break in Lanzarote, leaving vice skipper Craig in charge to lead the Chain Gang (we pity fools) on their early season charge for promotion.

The opponents this week were Greenwood Park, who had hung out for a draw on the opening day of the season. The side was much changed from last week, with 5 players missing from last weeks side. VC Craig called incorrectly at the toss, and was asked to field by the opposing skipper. The heat was going to be a big factor, and with 10 men due to a last minute drop out, fielding was going to be a challenge. and so the opening 14 over spell from Matt 'Superstar' Williams was cut short because of the heat.... Matt's bowling was a revelation from the previous week, and as he gained rhythm, he found pace, bounce and movement in what was one of the better park pitches in Hertfordshire. He beat the edge of the bat countless of times and his figures of 14-2-40-1 was not reflective of how well he bowled. He was supported excellently at the other end by the 16 year olds Jack 'Muralitharan' Caulfield (3 for 18) and Adam 'Still can't think of a nickname' Davies. You boys were excellent, movement with the ball in the right areas (most of the time) created pressure that meant chasing in the field was kept to a minimum. This pressure resulted in a run out, some just reward for Jon Tiley's fielding (for an old bloke, wasn't too bad) and when the skipper (you have to get one in) finally decided he had seen enough of 'Superstar' Williams, it was the turn of Ben 'Tracksuit' Howell to put Greenwood Park in a spin, Ben mixed his flight and pace up well, and ended up with 4 wickets, one of which was a very good caught & bowled. The all round fielding display was excellent, and the only one who can be fault was the very noisy percussion section behind the stumps which frankly couldn't catch a cold! Despite the outstanding fielding and bowling effort, Greenwood Park managed their way to 141 thanks to 40s worth of extras (22 wides, 10 byes and 8 leg byes).

The toll of the heat was etched on the faces of the team at tea, but the team were upbeat that they could chase down the total set for the second time in 2 weeks. Mymms started fast with Sushil Patel scoring fast with some excellent stroke play, unfortunately Damian 'Dickie Bird' Southall saw fit that one delivery was too straight for Sush to put his pad in front of and promptly gave Sush the appropriate digit. Jon Tiley and Steve Tilley set about a period of stability and patience waiting for the bad ball before some exquisite fielding saw both go due to some excellent catches. This brought the pairing of Andrew 'Mouse' Craig and Stuart 'Farmer' Craig to the wicket. The VC found the pressure of captaincy too much for him and was soon on his way back to the hutch, however The Farmer carried on his early season form, using some excellent Agricultural shots which had the crowd on their feet. With victory in sight and only 12 runs needed for victory Stuart played all round a straight one and set up an exciting finish, having scored 48 off just 43 balls. He had been ably supported by Dickie Southall who had shown excellent patience to score an important 11 before he too couldn't take the pressure and was on his way back, setting the stage for 'Superstar' Williams to see the side home and 60 points out of 60.

As stand-in skipper I could not have asked more from the side. Boys you were magnificent, you stayed alert and bright, even when I started losing my toys (Matt, sorry) and did not get complacent in the field once we were on top. We all held our catches, bowled decent lines (mostly) and kept your heads when batting even with only 10 men. The something new for every game came in the form of having the 10 men, but still managing to have an umpire and scorer. Jeff, you are a legend mate, and your commitment to this team to score when you could have sat in a pub garden all day is very much appreciated. Colin Barson, thanks for scoring, its always nice to have one less job to think about. Here's to next week and Weston at Old Owens. They are currently bottom, but we will have to be at our very best again to make sure we carry on the early season form.

Andrew Craig

3rd May 2008

v Datchworth II @ Home Farm

A BRIGHT START

The luck was in for Mymms 3s from the very start on Saturday as the sun came out and the rare luxury of playing on the first team ground was just the start. In a team that will be on average the lower end of the IQ scale for the year (Stuart Bright, Ian Bright, Andrew Goodliffe, & Matt Williams) the experience of the elder statesmen (Jon Tiley, Ian Cheeseman & Russ 'Whose the New Daddy' Bennett was going to be key to keeping some structure....

The skipper (got to get one of those in) eventually flipped the coin (once he found one...) and showed some good wrist action so that the opposition captain called incorrectly. Mymms would take full advantage of the English summer and have a bowl. Mymms bowled well on a road-esque wicket (cheers Moods) keeping the score tight, with some good fielding and varied line and lengths from the bowlers, and some good percussion noises from behind the stumps, drinks came with the score on 60-0. The brief interruption of a helicopter landing in the garden of the farm house (always see something new at each cricket game) saw the Datchworth batsman progress quicker and began pushing the scoreboard up to and above 3 runs an over. Eventually persistence paid off and some good bowling from the skipper finally saw the 1st wicket fall, a superb run out from the VC in co-ordination with Ian 'Can I cook my eggs on your gloves mouse?' Cheeseman, and a good catch from Ben 'I will grow into my new Mymms shirt' Howell saw a few wickets fall before Datchworth closed on 176 off their 53 overs. Notable contributions from Adam Davies, Andrew Goodliffe and Stuart Bright with the ball.

After an excellent tea from the future Mrs Goodliffe, excellent work Charlie, a good solid 7.5. Mymms went out to bat, the evergreen and always smiling Jon Tiley made 1 before he was bowled by the only ball that seamed all day (that's what he said anyway), Stuart Bright at the other end looked in usual good touch for someone who doesn't play much and the faint sounds of 'PLAY STRAIGHT' could be heard in the wind, and Stuart duly obliged, with a brilliant 71 off 92 balls (well batted). With supporting roles from Ian Cheese and Russ Bennett. He and Andrew Craig put on 30 for the 4th wicket before Stuart skewed one to point and the final 66 runs looked difficult to get, things did not improve with the comings and goings of Ultimate (at 6, he was light headed), Matt Williams (at 7, he just plain refused to walk.. what did u think it hit Matt??) leaving cheese no option but to point (rather than raise) the finger, and Ben Howell (I'll leave the one on the stumps) all scoring single figures.

With 58 required off 14 overs, it was down to the Captain and his first mate to steer the 3rd team ship home, and with a little bit of luck (the odd dropped catch), some sensible batting (not often you get Goody and sensible in the same sentence), the two Andrew's 'Mouse' Craig 31* and Goodliffe 33* saw it home with 8 balls to spare (well batted), 3 wickets in hand and with 30 points on the board.

Thanks to Charlie for Tea and doing lock up, top effort, Mop for his efforts on scoring, and Jack 'Muralitharan' Caulfield because he is the only one whose name i haven't mentioned! Also to the 3rd team posse (the good family Howell, and the 'not so' Bright family, for their support, especially to the bar take) With the skipper absent next week (holiday in cricket season!! you need to sort your priorities out!) and the first team in action, a good team spirit will be required for the 'chain gang' (i pity the fool!!) to maintain their promotion aspirations.

Andrew Craig

Updated: May 12, 2008 - Chris Cook