Metropolitan Police Cricket Club Website

MPBCC 3rd XI scored an impressive win over Redbourn III.

Three matches to go and MPBCC 3rd XI tottering around close to the bottom of the division 12 league table, was a sure worry for a lot of people in the team. Captain Dave Halsey won the toss against Redbourn 3rd XI and decided to bowl, the decision paid of immediately. Halsey bowled very accurately and was rewarded with the wickets of both the Preston openers Read & Emmins. From the other end Paul Randall bowled a very steady line and took two wickets. Middle order batsmen Michael Dobson played some delightful strokes and was the standout player for Redbourn. Barring Dobson (79), Smith (26), Savill (12) none of the batsmen could reach double figures. Vikas Verma came into bowl 32nd over and soon accounted for Dobson and Bajpai. Halsey from the other end quickly wiped out the tail. Halsey came out with his career best bowling figures of 12-1-38-6. Redbourn were bowled out for 174 in 41 overs.

MPBCC 3rd XI started the chase with Sid & Stevenson, soon we witnessed another characteristic MPBCC 3rd XI collapse. Sid, Rob, Tanner and Halsey were all back in the hut with hardly anything significant on the board. In walked Ryan Monk to join Andy Murphy in the middle. Ryan was absolutely not keen on jogging around for a run, he was happy smacking the ball all around the park to the boundary. Ryan played a blistering innings of 54, which included ten fours and one six. Murphy (10) in cahoots with Ryan ensured that MPBCC were always in reckoning of the chase. Ryan and Muprhy got out in quick succession. Burrows took to the stage with more than 70 runs to chase and top six batsmen down in the hut. Burrows played a very mature innings and ensured that the score was kept ticking. Randall who joined in after the loss of Murphy’s wicket seemed inspired by Monk and wielded his bat with an amazing grace, playing some big strokes and running quick singles. Randall and Burrows brought the team very close to winning, but Randal got out agonisingly close to his half century at 45. Burrows continued the fabulous work and ensured MPBCC 3rd XI won and stayed unbeaten on 23. MPBCC middle order played brilliantly and registered a fabulous win.

An extremely pleasing win and standout performances from Ryan Monk for his 54, Dave Halsey for his six wickets, Paul Randall for his 45 and Andy Burrows for being calm and collected to ensure MPBCC got the winning .