As I sit here in the evening twilight, it is hard to believe that another summer has passed. And what a summer at that! Who would have predicted at the start of the season the thirds would finish in the top three? Mid-table anonymity would have been most peoples. guess, with the pessimists predicting another relegation battle.

Eleven victories from fourteen games was a remarkable achievement, an average of 19.64, maximum points being taken five times and only a couple of victories being considered .close calls.. Of those three (four if you count rule 20.6.1 [see below]) defeats . one (Old Hambledonians) we should have won, one (Curdridge) we could have won and the other (Whiteley), if only I.d called tails!

As for the basis of the success . desire, confidence and team spirit were factors, with key contributions with the bat coming from Paul Tosdevin (best of 123) and Roy Hammond with cameos at important times from Dan O'Connell, Les Orr, Alex Hammond and Grant Bauchop; and with the ball coming from Micky Brogan, Les Orr and Alex Hammond, with cameos at important times from Paul Thwaites, Bob Joyce and David Dunkley.

Unusually for the thirds, this year saw an increase in the average age of the side as the number of youngsters decreased . either as a result of their .promotion. to the firsts/seconds or various other reasons. Those that did play . David Dunkley, Matt Quinn, Adam Tosdevin and David Pye to name a few showed potential, and I received several encouraging comments from opposing captains during the season . stick with it guys and your day will come!

As with all sports, no team would be successful without the .behind the scenes. activities of the clubs. officers, committee and other members, to whom I would like to pass on my heartfelt thanks for their assistance throughout the year. I would also like to thank Penny Jones for scoring . thereby removing one headache each week . and to Shayne and Steve, with whom selection from my perspective went quite smoothly and many an email was shared! Thanks also to all those who contributed to the tea making process.

And so, as the sun finally sets, it is time to think of next year. My decision to stand-down as captain should come as no surprise to most . I had made this decision last October having stayed on for another year. What may be of surprise is my decision to stop playing altogether . Alec Stewart, Robin Smith and now me..! The pressures of work and home and the physical stresses on my body have started to take their toll . with the net result that despite the year.s successes, my contribution and enjoyment was minimal. Perhaps the winter break or the long summer days may see my desire to play return, but for now it is .stumps..

As for my successor, naturally I wish him luck and continued success. As for the attributes required as captain, my two years have seen me play the roles of diplomat, decision maker, leader, politician, peacemaker, negotiator, protagonist, dictator, nanny and cricketer. I may not have succeeded with them all, but it shows that captaincy has many demands.

In finishing this report, I once again reflect on the excellent season for the thirds and ponder how it can be built on. Perhaps the answer lies more in the Club.s perspective of the third team.s role and how it may be changed if plans to create a fourth team materialise. One comment heard many times was that the youth element of the team was lacking . a departure from two or three years ago when five or six teenagers were in the team. Perhaps this year.s success was attributable to a more mature side. Ultimately, the acceptable final league position will dictate the desired make-up of the side . and ultimately make the selection process arguably simpler.

Graeme Henry
Third Team Captain
September 2003

[Rule 20.6.1. Clubs may not have two teams in the same County or Regional Division of The League. This includes being in different geographic areas within the same regional division. (Source: The Hampshire Cricket League Handbook 2003)]