Thurrock Thirds
By Dorothy Parker
ON a blustery day and without healthily rounded reporter Michael Parker, Thurrock 3’s entertained four sides on Saturday facing not only Southend on Sea, but also Ecko, Monarchs and Trojans.
Southend were put in to bat by Thurrock skipper Owen who then took to the field to set about their attack. The swing kings Umfreville and Packer didn’t waste too much time carving in to the top order and Southend captain Sweeney was removed by a one handed diving effort by the ever agile Simmons who reports suggest was a clear six inches off of the ground.
Packer and Umfreville continued the assault finishing with 4 and 2 wickets respectively, before SOSEM&T put up a mid order resistance at the hands of Haji and Duxbury. However, just as a foundation was being laid to rebuild the innings, shrewd tactics saw Oakley’s wife release their dog onto the pitch and that break in play proved decisive as Owen turned to young blood Terrence Hills who with canny bowling removed Duxbury’s middle stump, before Simmons came on to take the final wicket, thanks to the lighting reactions of Carl Froch lookalike Oakley behind the stumps. With a miserly 76 runs conceded Thurrock went in to tea with their takes up.
After the interval openers Day and McCartney went out to start the Thurrock innings with a relaxed group, but nerves were soon frayed when Day departed for 1 and his replacement Oakley and then Owen could only manage 5 between them.
With McCartney departing soon after worry adorned some of the smiling faces of the Thurrock bench, but were soon calmed by the partnership of Riva and soon to be married Wright, the latter playing a commanding role of patience, poise and ruthlessness that has seen his run tally sore this season. He’s even having his wedding on a Thursday, so he’s able to play next Saturday.
The 5th wicket stand saw Thurrock home comfortable winners in the end with a 1st vs 2nd tie against Tllingham to come this week.
Iain Oakley
3rd team substitute match reporter when Parker goes AWOL
