Cannington's third game was away against Minehead thirds. Minehead had been relegated last year, but with large town clubs with multiple teams you never know how strong (or weak) they will be on any given day. The week leading up to the game had been very hot and dry, and CCC were met with a very quick looking pitch and outfield. As usual with the Minehead reserve pitch you always have to contend with the large slope across the pitch.

Despite losing the two opening games CCC had played well throughout and pushed a strong East Huntspill close in week one, and then come up just short against bogey side Hemlock in week two. Therefore a strong CCC side were confident they could come back East with a decent points haul.

Unfortunately the toss was lost (it is a 50/50 possibility apparently) and Minehead elected to bat. Given the heat and good looking deck CCC would have also batted first. After the toss loss it took a good hour before anything went our way, with the two MCC openers scoring freely and looking dangerous. Despite this W Kelly and D Lush were bowling well and looking threatening. Unfortunately it was well into the game before the opening wicket fell with Lush, thanks to a cracking catch at close mid-wicket for Russ, taking the scalp.

As Nick says 1 brings 2 and the number 3 was back in the hutch soon afterwards through a Lush LBW. This brought R Rich to the crease at number 4, who ably supported the very composed J Hurley who was comfortably scoring against all of the CCC attack. Rich departed for a well made 35 thanks to Wilf Hoveman (who clean bowled him) who was making his first appearance of the season. It is far to say that Wilf has bowled better than this, however it was great to have Wilf back in the line-up.

CCC tried a few different bowling combinations before W King got his crack. He immediately found his line and length and looked dangerous, with the fast bouncy pitch suiting his bowling style. It didn't take him long to make a breakthrough when he clean bowled the MCC number 5 for just 5. Captain Caswell takes some credit for the wicket as he had suggested WK try the quicker ball, and it was this which snuck through the defences. Again one brought two (thanks Nick) with WK getting the number 6 the very next ball.

Unfortunately Hurley remained and would end the innings unbeaten on 109. In the later overs he was well supported by Priddle who, at 7, survived some feisty bowling from Kelly and Lush. At the end of the innings MCC had hit 273 for 5. Although the pitch was good and the outfield fast, this was above par.

Tea was solid.

The second innings started solidly for CCC, with Wilf and Caswell putting on 25 for the first wicket before Wilf fell to a good catch in the deep. Caswell fell for a ploddy 8 runs when the score was on 51. Chris fell soon afterwards for 6 (one scoring shot!) bringing Will Kelly to the crease. At this point W King and W Kelly looked in great touch, with runs flowing quickly off both bats. Unfortunately King fell for 46 (off just 32 balls) to the now bowling Hurley (as if he hadn't caused enough trouble he was now bowling!).

The loss of King didn't slow the run rate with Windows joining Kelly and consistently launching the ball over the rope. One of his sixes would probably have cleared another entire boundary! Unfortunately he fell for 20 (off 11 balls). Hereafter the tail didn't really wag with regular wickets falling leaving Kelly hoping he'd have time to collect his first CCC 50. He nearly had time thanks to Graham (batting at 11) who provided able support. Graham had taken a horrible blow to his ankle in the first innings (pics to be uploaded soon :-)), and was therefore was batting at 11. GW hit a couple of nice 4's before being bowled by Hurley (who collected a fifer to go with his century. CCC ended up on 166, with Kelly unbeaten on 32, in the 27th over.

Overall the game was probably decided by Hurley. His runs and wickets probably separating the two teams. That being said he was ably supported by a couple of other MCC batsmen, and the bowling of young left arm Savage was impressive.

CCC will need to lick their wounds and forget this one, with a match against table toppers North Curry Saints next week.