Portchester III v Hambledon IV – 14.06.08

Regional Division 4 South East League Match played at Wickham

Portchester III (24pts) 117 for 2 beat Hambledon IV (4pts) 115 all out

Portchester III won by 8 wickets

Match report by Ian Docker

After the 3rd team have led a rather nomadic life this season in the pursuit of home grounds it was pleasing to find our latest fixture being played in the rural “Parklife” setting of Wickham’s Rookesbury Park.

The skipper confounded his critics by winning the toss and putting the opposition in, to which he retorted “There is no other way”. John Biggs again took first blood bowling a steady 9 over spell ( 9-4-25-1), Rick Harding opened from the other end and benefited from the work he had put in with Dave O’Neill in the week and bowled a sharp spell finishing with 1 for 22 from his 6 overs. Ian Docker (12-3-36-1) and John Buckle’s 9 over devastating spell of 7 for 22 left the skipper ” Out of Time” to re-introduce Ricky to the attack. Hambledon all out 116. 5 bowling points.

The highlight of the tea interval was the Chicken Tikka rolls presented by Mike Osmond. As the skipper decided to shuffle the batting line-up this feat alone saved him from a TFC.
The skipper decided to open himself after his recent run of form, setting himself up as a sacrificial lamb. We soon found the score at 30 for 2, until Stu Bogg ( 29 not out) was joined at the crease by Digger Boy Kelly who decided his innings was going to go “Bang” seeing us home with a 65 not out sending balls flying into the woods, maybe looking for “Gorillaz”. 117 for 2. 7 batting points.

I bet you thought that I had forgot “Country House”, well no, Architect Jamie Knode gave Rick and I a most enjoyable lecture on the mixed structures on this stately pile with examples of Ionic, Doric and Corinthian architecture.

The skipper was extremely happy to go away with 24 points in fact he was in a “Blur”