SHOUT: LET IT ALL OUT

SMCC - all out for 187 off 49 overs. Selves 6/60 off 21 overs. Dick Ewan 4 wickets

drew with

Hampton Wick - 162 for 9. Hirsh 62.

"Shout, shout, let it all out, these are the things I can do without Come on, I'm talking to you, come on" was what 80s super group Tears For Fears said many years ago in their seminal classic "Shout", from the album "Songs from the big Chair". It's one hell of an record, with many commentators at the time describing it as "the freshest piece of music" since Phil Collins and Genesis released their first record.

The song, of course, has incredible meaning and depth. It is about political protest for sure, but it also about expressing yourself and telling others what you think. It was something that dawned on me, perhaps hauntingly, as i watched the 3s go toe-to-toe with Streatham and Marlborough Cricket Club on Saturday. This is a team that has talent and quality, and now needs to start shouting about it and breaking free from a nervousness that is costing points.

After Jimmy C won the toss, he decided to send S&M (see what i did there?) into bat. It was a crazy start. Adam Selves opened the bowling alongside Eddie Charlton and took two wickets in the third over - a cheeky caught behind and then a caught and bowled. 2/10. It looked like the Wick were about to skittle these boys in just a few overs.

It was not to be. The match probably turned on a dropped catch which was easy to take, much less actually attempt to catch. Their left hander popped one up in the air between square leg and the keeper. As Lloydy and Tim looked at each other and waited for something to happen, the ball fell embarrassingly to the ground. It was a precurser to Robert Green's howler that evening against the US. The lefty, with support from the skipper, then went on to make 60-odd. Damn!!

At 130-odd for two off 35 overs, S&M were heading for a big total, before Dick Ewan and Adam Selves ran riot. Selves took two more wickets, while Dick Ewan took four wickets in just a handful of overs. 130-2 then became 138-8. It was looking like they would be out for 150, a score that could be happily chased down.

Sadly, their last two batsmen proved a bit of a handful, and managed to put on a 50 run partnership from the last 14 overs. Dick Ewan in the process managed to do his hamstring while attempting to reach a skied catch. It was 50 runs and an injury that probably cost the 3s winning the match.

With Dick sitting on the sidelines, Jimmy opted to send in Lloydy to open with Risso. Opening with the old ball, S&M gave it to a slow pie chucker to do some damage. It was clear that Lloydy's eyes would light up with these deliveries and not last too long out in the middle. Just too tempting, and he skied one to the keeper. Gone. With Joe Hirsch coming to the middle, Risso and he looked to tick the scoring over. However, a lack of shouting from young Joey on a quick single left Risso exposed, and then run out. Skipper Jimmy C was overheard to have remarked - "why does no one call anymore?! Just shout either yes, no or waiting....those are the three calls!!"

Nathan then joined Joey at the crease, and they batted superbly. Hirshy has matured into a fantastic young cricketer, and drove all over the ground to reach an inspired 50. His first league 50 for the club. Top work son. At the other end, Nathan finally began to show some of his potential - belting balls to the boundary with ease, and showing his true power for one. The wick were now on 130-odd for two, needing 58 off the last 18 overs.

However, the 3s again conspired to collapse in the middle order again. After Joey and Nathan had gone, only Jimmy and Selves would follow to try and keep the chase on target. Jimmy looked completely out of sorts with the bat and ball, and will need to get in a session with Kam Raza at nets this week to change his fortunes. Selves, exhausted from bowling nearly half the 3s overs, couldn't replicate his heroics with the bat. Both were removed cheaply, and left Dick Ewan and Eddie Charlton to get the remaining runs.

Sadly, there wasn't enough batting to finish off the chase, and the side held out (thanks to Charles Edmunds....who faced the task of blocking out the last 5 balls) for a losing draw. It was such a disappointing way to end the match. Another team who the 3s should have beaten, and it seems like playing well in patches may haunt the side come the end of the season. The games agaitnst Old Tiffs, Old Eman and now Streatham have followed a similar pattern - the 3s have had the game by the thruff of the scroat (so to speak) and have let sides back into the matches.

The side now needs to regroup for next week's game. It needs to start shouting louder and being more confident in the field, and with bowling and batting. It needs a bit more of the Fabio Capello school of leadership and discipline now to start getting these victories. Otherwise, one can see a "Falling Down" moment when the skipper, and some of his angry mob, might just lose the plot entirely. Buck up boys. Shout it out. NOW!