Oh dear. It was always a long shot that the 3s could land a fifth successive Premier Division title but their worst batting performance a) of the month b) of the season c) since several shockers in 2014 well and truly put paid to those hopes.

All was set fair as JB, with the strongest team he could have named, won the toss and had no hesitation on having first go on the same track that Georgians 1st XI had boshed 339 runs the day before. But what a tale of woe unfolded as the 3s, on a sultry warm afternoon, froze. Alex was run out by a spectacular direct hit in the second over, stranded in mid-pitch. Three overs later Adam, having hit two delightful fours in succession, got the ball of the game, a quick, well-directed inswinging yorker which left Dids 19-2.

From then, a desperation of sorts seemed to set into the strokeplay, there was no obvious intensity with the running and calling, and a lot of dot balls were chewed up as the overs rattled round. That in turn led to a spell of three wkts falling in seven balls for just one further run, soft dismissals really that put Dids into a tailspin. 67 all out, with 80.55% of the deliveries faced being dot balls, and some 16 overs unused was a sorry tale, a poor reflection on such a talented team who have played such good cricket for large parts of the season.

Georgians had 42 on the board within 5 overs and despite the miniest of wobbles, eased to a six-wicket win. However, Sale’s controversy-tinged win later in the afternoon meant they pipped Georgians to the title by virtue of having won one more match, and there was the tiniest crumb of comfort for the 3s in that, even if they had won today, it wouldn’t have been enough. But there’s no doubt they would have wanted to perform way better than was the case today. Our congratulations go to both Sale for their title win and to Georgians for their win today, good seasons for both of them.

For the 3s, third place is no disgrace, and in this new season of win-lose there have been some valuable lessons learned. As I have said before, I think the win-lose system needs an overhaul if it is to stay – if there is a vacancy for a CCCL 3rd team cricket administrator I am happy to put my name forward – but in what has been a transitional season for the 3s there has been lots to be optimistic about, of which I hope JB will pen some thoughts when he has come to terms with today (and paid back Paul with the new ball he kindly donated today but which disappeared onto the railway track as part of that early onslaught as SG batted).