With three back to back losses, Stevenage cc (SCC) 3s were desperate for a win. Overcast conditions and moderate to heavy rain throughout the week casted doubts on possibility of a match. Home team, Knebworth Park CC (KPCC) 2nd XI assured SCC that the square is covered and their outfield dries out quickly. As expected, the 12pm start came and went. The covers were firmly square and intermittent rain caused more frustration amongst both the teams. At 1.15pm KPCC groundsmen decided to take off cover and allowed it to dry up for 30 mins. Captains from both the teams and Umpires agreed to do a toss at 1.45pm and Match started at 2pm with 33 overs each, assuming no more interruption from rain. With day brightening up, toss became all too important. 

SCC WON the toss and elected to FIELD first. 

First Innings: KPCC opening batters played with intent, not to throw away wickets cheaply. SCC opening bowling pair toiled with no success. Bowling change (J Singh replaced C Zeelie) ensured that runs were not leaked but no sign of wickets yet.. The KPCC opening pair soon reached a 50 run opening partnership. Soon the pair went past 75-0 in 14 overs. It was not looking good for SCC. SCC's decision to field first making use of dampness and wet outfield was NOT going to the plan. A timely bowling change from the other end with L McCabe replacing M Reddy paid dividends with the first wicket to L McCabe. The opening batter from KPCC reached his 50 and was looking ominous. Bowling change replacing L McCabe with S Yendlapally (Srini) resulted in a wicket. KPCC opening batter was on his way back to the dressing room with a well made 59. Although KPCC were 2 wickets down, SCC bowlers kept the lid on run rate. D Prathi joined Srini and continued to bowl good lines, not allowing batters to free their arms. It was ably backed by good fielding effort especially from senior players like AJ and S Mathur. Both would have easily saved 12 to 15 runs. At the end of 33 overs, KPCC posted a competitive 145-7. Srini with 3 wickets, D Prathi and L McCabe claiming each, two run outs - one by M Reddy and second by V Kummari. 

Second Innings: With required run rate (RR) of around 4.5 per over, SCC knew it is going to be a tight game and tricky chase but the batters were upto the task with a positive mindset. S Mathur and M Clucas opened the batting for SCC. A cautious start resulted in 6-0 in four overs. In a bid to step on the gas and accelerate scoring rate, M Clucas lost his wicket resulting in 6-1 in 4 overs. A tight and disciplined bowling from KPCC resulted in 19-2 in 10 overs. As the required RR started creeping towards 6 per over, a calculated and brilliant counter attack from S Mathur kept the scoreboard ticking while allowing V Kummari (Vamshi) to settle down. Half way mark (17 overs) SCC were at 54-2, requiring 92 runs off 102 balls with 8 wickets. Immediately after the drinks break S Mathur was back in the dressing room with a well made 38 runs off 45 balls at SR of 85.00. Srini walked in as No.5 batter and joined Vamshi in the middle. Being quick runners, both the batters made use of their agility and started putting pressure on fielders with quick singles, converting 1s to 2s. Brave and committed counter attack from Vamshi with massive sixers propelled SCC scoreboard crossing 100-3 mark. With a match defining 50 run partnership, Srini and Vamshi were cruising along nicely only to be disrupted by Srini caught at slip off spin bowling. D Prathi joined Vamshi in the middle but their partnership lasted for 10 runs with Vamshi returning to dressing room for well made 41 runs off at healthy SR of 67. J Singh joned D Prathi in the middle, still 36 runs required off 8 overs. Both the batters played according to the situation and put on a 25 runs partnership in 5 overs. With 7 runs required in 3 overs, J Singh lost his wicket in an attempt to finish the match in style. M Reddy joined D Prathi in the middle and ensured no further hiccups. D Prathi finished 24* in 20 balls at SR 120. SCC 3s reached the target with a massive SIX from Dilip and finished 146/6 with 9 legal deliveries to spare.

Summary: 1. Much needed WIN for SCC 3s 2. Good bowling effort from SCC restricting to 145, ably supported by superb fielding effort 3. Timely counter attack by S Mathur kept SCC in the hunt. 4. Decisive counter attack by Vamshi and brilliant partnership of 50 runs between Srini and Vamshi tilted match in SCC favour. 5. A Matured innings from D Prathi with 24* ensured 30 points to SCC.

PoTM: S Mathur for his brilliant fielding effort and 38 runs off 45 balls at SR85.00, ensured RR never crept beyond 6.00 per over.

HUGE thanks to the SCC contingency of 2nd and 4th team players who made their way to Knebworth (after their respective matches were rained off) and supported 3s. They were truly 12th man of 3s.