The U11s travelled to the splendour of Wellingborough School to take on the combined OW’s/Wellingborough Indian’s team. Luke Venkatasamy replaced Anya Neal behind the stumps.
The thatched pavilion and surroundings were a treat for the boys and their parents, especially given some of the legendary names that have played there over the years, including Sir Ian Botham, Michael Atherton, Allan Lamb, and Ryan Knight (son of Paul)….
The steps to the pavilion were set off by the engraved foundation stone from W.G. Grace’s own house and it was to another era we stepped as we waited for the OW’s coach and team to finally get ready for play. Ensuring the milk went into the fridge was far more important than the toss, or even six stumps (only five were on the field) as the opening pair of Aidan Garratt and Liam Morrissey made their way to the wicket ten minutes late.
This became the theme for the day as their coach (who also umpired) found it necessary to change fielding positions, select bowlers, discuss politics, book his holiday, complete his tax return and even demonstrate backing up to our lads between overs (all of which not unlike the senior OW’s -Ed). This was going to be a long morning, even with Umpire Charlie chivvying him along.
As has been the template over the last few weeks, our lads struggled to score runs consistently from the bat (only 27 this week) and lost just enough wickets (4) to make the score of 251-5 (net 231) a tricky one to defend. Cogenhoe were helped by the 24 extras that the OWs/WIs bowled, so it was clear at the break that a few wickets would be needed and very few wides or no balls could be afforded if we were to win.
As it turned out the bowling was as good as it has been this season, with only 4 wides and one no ball in the sixteen overs bowled. There were wickets for Mohit Hellan, Aidan Garratt and Liam Morrissey but we just could not find the extra wicket to prevent the 2 run defeat that went to the final ball.
This was a tough defeat to take as we felt like we bowled and fielded better than the opposition, but our batting continues to frustrate as lads that hit the ball with confidence in practice and warm-up retreat into their shells when the game begins. This seems to be a theme across the club, as both Saturday senior sides and the U13s are suffering from the same affliction at the moment!
Thanks to Charlie for umpiring and to Bec Reeve for scoring.
Two more games remain against Overstone (17th July) and Saints (24th July).
