In keeping up with tradition ACC3 “decided” to lose the toss against Qui Vive.  Generally this is a good omen, but unfortunately on this lovely summer’s day the fortunes turned against ACC3. 

Qui Vive decided to put ACC3 in to bat.  After an initial jumpstart by the opening pair of JW (6) and Paul (18), the fall of a few cheap wickets necessitated some sensible batting by the middle order.  Here special mention has to go to Sajid (27) and Zeddy (6) who set up a good platform for batting out the 40 overs.  An aggressive and entertaining innings 59 by Shahid Noor helped ACC3 achieve a decent defendable total.  With a big flurry Abid (read Shahid Afridi) closed the ACC3 innings with an enormous six, driven straight over the bowler’s head and landing on the clubhouse roof.  This target was set at 183.
After taking a wicket in the very first over (bowler Shahid, caught keeper Alex), Qui Vive broke the deadlock by scoring fast and furious.  ACC3 fought back by taking wickets at regular intervals, with especially Farhan (3/31 in 6) doing the damage with specialist spin bowling.  The cliché “catching win matches” haunted ACC3 players.  Although ACC3 had a decent performance in the field, they’ll rue a drop catch or two and a possible stumping.  In the end an odd 30/40 runs extra might have offered ACC3 with the opportunity to trump Qui Vive.  The match was concluded with Qui Vive reaching the target set (183) in the 33rd over, three wickets still standing.
Hopefully this loss inspires ACC3 to come back stronger, learn from past mistakes and build on the great team spirit they have been culturing.
Cheers, Paul