Odiham and GreywellOdiham and Greywell vs Frimley Green Cricket ClubFGCC

It's often asked why at nets all FGCC batsmen practice the now infamous '8 from 3' before they are ceremoniously chucked out to make way for the next to face up to the often wayward pre-season bowling. For once, however, all the practice was worth it in this truly nail-biting game.

Losing the toss, FGCC had the perfect start, with Rich Loosley's first two balls taking wickets. Odiham steadied the ship afterwards, with Hodgson (34), Read (54) and G.Jones (50) making valuable contributions for the home side in this 35-over per side match. Dave Brown mopped up the tail, taking 3 cheap wickets, and when Cap'n Jim snagged last man Barnard caught behind OGCC ended their innings, posting a credible 185.

FGCC started well in reply, with Rich and Mark putting on 71 before Mark fell trying to up the run rate. With Ants falling soon after, then Rich after making a patient 65, this set the scene for Dave Brown (who yet again broke another player's bat) and Tim to move the innings forward. It was 'dot ball' Jones who provided the initial impetus, with 3 successive 4s off the bowling of the previously very economical spinner Hodgson, but when he was bowled trying one boundary shot too many 20 were still needed off 17 balls. This soon became '8 from 3' - you couldn't have made it up. With Brown facing, there was no score off the first ball, a marvellous 6 off the second, and a 4 to end things, giving FGCC their first away win of the season.