3RD XI SEASON REVIEW 2026

For the first time, a TSJ side went into a season under dual leadership. What might seem a little odd on the surface actually worked perfectly in 2026, with Dan Tatts and Aaron Thomas shepherding a very young 3rd XI to an impressive league placing - promotion was on the cards right up until the final weekend, thanks to a mix of entertaining performances and some real grit under pressure.

No fewer than four players struck tons this season, all of them their first in senior cricket; Corey Sheehan's century at Elton meant that he beat Oscar Thomas' effort last year to become the youngest ever TSJ senior cricket centurion. If that wasn't excellent enough, two more teenagers - Luke Hall and AJ Roughley - also passed the 100 mark, while the decidedly non-teenage Faisal Ahmed struck a blistering 100 late in the season. Magnificent all round, lads. Perhaps equally impressive were the speeds at which the youngsters accrued their runs - Luke's 410 runs in all competititons came at a tremendous strike rate of 99.51, while four of the top five leading run scorers scored in excess of 74 runs per 100 balls.

Perhaps even better than the individual performances were the team efforts. In recent seasons, the 3rd XI has struggled to nail down consistent performances, and with little senior experience in the ranks this year, it's unlikely that anyone expected this group to bring in the results they did. Boy did they prove people wrong.

After an opening weekend washout, the side went on a real tear, producing six wins plus a walkover victory in the next eight fixtures. Batting confidence was on a high, while on the bowling side there were plenty of wickets shared between skipper Tatts, Luke, James K-B, Jack Kenyon, Harrison King and others. Faisal's Sunday-only availability did strengthen the bowling somewhat too, and there were very few games in which the opposition were allowed to get away. Indeed through the whole season the team only conceded 250 twice, which was an excellent effort for a youthful attack, often in searing heat and batsmen-friendly conditions.

It's also worth pointing out that many of the junior players also now represent the 2nd and sometimes 1st XIs on Saturdays, the experience gained in the higher leagues clearly aiding their development. The youth setup at TSJ is stronger than it has ever been, and it really is beginning to show some real rewards. Congratulations on a really strong 2026 lads, onwards and upwards next year! A final thanks also to our umpires, scorers, supporters, Kieran and team working on the ground, and everyone who helped out on matchdays - the games simply don't go ahead without you all.