Marshfield CC 3rd XI (Vice) Captains Report – Season 2019

Played 16, won 6, lost 10, abandoned/cancelled 2

Final league position 7^th.

Final League Table

The match between Marshfield 3 and Avebury 2 has been resolved to be a cancelled match by the league management committee.

If ever a season could be described as having two halves, this was it. The newly promoted thirds were bedevilled in the first half of the summer by poor availability, so much so that getting a team out at all became a challenge in a number of weeks. This perhaps peaked twice – against Chippenham no fewer than five members of staff from the University of Bath turned out (although that includes yours truly, and Marshfield legend Professor Threadgill), and against Swindon B where the ranks were filled with Amelia Bond and Hannah Palmer, plus two more guests recruited at the last minute. While both games were lost, crucially they were not forfeited, and this must be set against the few points accrued. The crisis in player numbers saw the return of Andrew Pierce on several occasions and thanks should be recorded to all those who turned out for the club.

Disappointingly it proved harder to get more youth players turning out on a regular basis, although some who have played in the thirds have now gained match time in the 2nds too.

As a result of this, things looked sticky in mid-season, with the prospect of a swift return to the horrors of division 8. At this point only two wins had been record from 11 games, the first an epic affair at home to Lacock. The visitors had been dismissed for just 95, but the thirds struggled in response, and found themselves at 57-9, before a calm 30 not out from Ben White, partnered with an obdurate innings from Will Christie saw them home. The second win was a much more comfortable affair at Warminster, with Tom Lamb blasting a superb 126, and taking an excellent boundary catch to remove the dangerous Liam White.

Nothing seemed to be going right in some of the other games. At Lacock, an excellent opening stand of 67 led once more to a below par 138, but the thirds could not have imagined that the hosts would knock off the score with no wickets down, but that was precisely what happened.

Things started to turn against Chippenham at home. Despite posting a low total yet again, 167 for 7 proved too much for the visitors, bowled out for 116. A disappointing loss at Bradford, was followed by a thumping win over Warminster, with the second ton of the campaign. This time it was George Pollitt with a composed 106 not out, with Richard Guy batting through the innings for 70 not out. Warminster never came close to chasing the 236 for 1, and were done at 61 after just 26.1 overs. On this occasion Rob Iles (4) and Andy Elliot (6) split the wickets between them.

Even in defeat the thirds were now picking up wickets, for instance at Christian Malford, a loss by 85 runs still garnered 10 points. After a slight hiccough with a cancelled game against Avebury, the thirds picked up two more wins against Great Bedwyn and Swindon and survival in division 7 was assured.

On the playing front the batting statistics were led once again by the evergreen Professor Guy, ending with 323 runs at 29.36. This perhaps doesn’t show the whole story, especially as he was called to the 2nds on several occasions, notably in the first half of the season, and only really found form later on. He was pushed by yours truly (204 at 18.55) and the skipper (171 at 19.00). In the bowling stakes Jim took the award with 17 wickets at an average of 20.76. Chris Ruddell finished with 13, and would surely have had more if he too had not been taken by the 2nds in the early season games. The workhorse of the year award must go to Mark Dixon, who bowled 113 overs for just 11 wickets (albeit with 31 maidens).

Off the field there were some notable trips home from away venues, and clearly the spirit in the thirds remained high all year. There is a clear ‘core’ 3^rd team and the biggest challenge for the future is to bring in fresh players to this environment and get the best out of them.

On a personal note I was obviously disappointed to get injured in the way that I did, inevitably curtailing my season. At the time, shortly after perhaps my best innings of my life, I did briefly wonder if I would ever play again. However, happily my recovery from surgery has gone exceptionally well, and with advice from my physio I anticipate a full recovery and being able to play a full role next summer.

I would also at this point pay tribute to Jim. Captaining the thirds is not easy, but Jim manages to both play the game hard, but still give players chances to shine, and is a key part in making the game enjoyable. I am extremely happy that he is going to carry on for 2020!

 Tim Wooman