3rd XI vs Old Wilsonians CC, 3rd XI

Match Report

08/07/2023

CCCC 3's Away vs Old Wilsonians CC 3's

Top of the league cyphers were looking to bounce back from a particularly poor batting performance away to Hayes last week. 

The weather played an important role in the day, with both captains not really fancying it before any rain fell and opting for a 30 over game. After a 2 hour downpour before a ball was bowled, this was reduced to 25. 

Despite originally winning the toss, Zadran had to call it again due to the new rules chance. Losing 2nd time round, Cyphers were put in, in humid and gloomy overhead conditions. 

There was danger that the pressure to score in the shortened format would undo Catford losing their openers cheaply. This wasn't to be however as Purcell at 3 anchored the innings beautifully with a run a ball 51 playing in tandem with Zadran (10) and Stewart (22). 

O'Sullivan, not previously known for his pinch hitting strolled out at 7 and took on the short boundary and swiftly moved to 37 from 23. OWCC old timer Abbett (3-0-2-26) who had done for Stewart and Purcell with some absolute dross couldn't lure a similar mistake from O'Sullivan and instead kept tossing it up on his pads and getting dispatched. Cyphers ended up setting OWCC 158 to get in there 25. 

In response OWCC never really threatened chasing the total. Good, attacking cameos from Patel (23) and Mir (28) the only contributions of note on an otherwise abject run chase. 

Credit to cyphers tight bowling, sharp fielding and clever bowler rotation with pace off being difficult to get away. 

Opening partners Zadran (3-0-0-11) and Panayi (6-0-1-29) kept the pressure on initially with tight bowling. Purcell, concluding a great day out with figures of 6-0-2-32 and Ahmed with an excellent tight spell of 5-0-3-20. 

Cyphers will look to take their form into next week where they host 7th placed Old Colfeians.