Pocklington 3rd XI sponsored by Stamford’s were at home and looking for a win against a Hensall side that narrowly got the win in the away fixture earlier in the season.

In what is now usual custom, Skipper Wes Smith didn’t win the Toss and Hensall unsurprisingly took the opportunity to bat on what looked another fantastic pitch prepared by our very own Neal Jackson.

Will Foley opened up the bowling with a young superstar in the making Josh Fiorentini who was coming in fresh off a half century with the bat earlier in the week.
Hensall made a good start making use of the rapid outfield and short boundary.
However, as what is now the norm, the 3s stuck to the task and after a couple of tight overs the under pressure Hensall skipper called for a quick single. Skipper Smith couldn’t believe his luck when he picked it up cleanly and put a lightning throw into a quick thinking Josh who took the ball clean and ran a disheveled Barker out by several yards.
It was then that our spin king Robin Miller stepped up to the mark, finding lines, lengths and variations that had all of us watching on in awe.
Elliott Morrell found a great rhythm at the other end and the two bowled excellently in tandem. 7 wickets fell between them, miller taking a superb 5-23 off his 10 over allotment.
Hensall went from 88/4 after 20 overs to 125 All Out in 33 overs, testament to the team sticking at it despite the hot conditions.
Young Josh came back for a second spell, finishing up with 2 wickets, only going for 20 runs off his 8 overs including an impressive 4 maidens.
Special mention to Apie Pieterse who took some solid catches and gave Hensall nothing in the field. Joe Wilson also put on another impressive showing behind the stumps despite conceding it was hard work keeping for Miller as just like the Hensall batsmen, he was struggling to pick him!

Time for tea.. Smith expressed his delight to the team at the break, an amazing performance but did warn that work was still to be done.

After another fantastic tea by Wolds Cafe, Pocklington got together and discussed how a solid foundation was the key to chasing down the modest total.

Young Joe Wilson headed out with the skipper with the plan to hit the bad ball and take no risks. After Smith struck the first ball of the innings for 4 with his slightly smaller than adult sized bat, Pocklington were up and running.
A fledgling bowling attack did fantastically well to keep Pocklington at bay but the boundaries kept coming and soon after Smith reached his half century, so did Joe, his first for Pocklington! which included his first 6 for the club, great scenes!.
Pock cruised to victory with just the loss of both openers, reaching 129/2 in just 18 overs.

Hensall can take much credit in fielding several juniors as they always do. They put a high value on the future of the club and should be applauded for that.

All in all, Pock delivered a fantastic team performance and momentum can now be taken into what will no doubt be a more competitive game when the 3s hit the road and travel to Thorpe Willoughby next Saturday.

Big thanks to Tamsin for scoring and to Rich Williman and Hensalls Mark Taylor for umpiring.