The last match of the season and the pitch at Overstone was in super nick as the U13s prepared to take on a perennially strong opponent. Having won the toss, Alfie invited Overstone to bat.
As it was the last game, everyone who wanted to bowl was getting a couple of overs and with the opening batsmen being sons of former Cook’s footballer Tim Chamberlain and former Northant’s CCC David Sales, a tough challenge was facing us.
And that was how it turned out; both openers reached the retirement target of 30no with some fantastic shots and a massive score was on the cards as they were scoring at about 10 an over. However the boys showed real character and wickets began to fall to Alex Bushell, Sam Tipler, Aidan Garratt and Alfie Wreford [2]. The others all contributing well with the ball.
With only six wides in the 20 overs, it was a really good bowling performance as Overstone finished on 123-5. As is usually the way, we can’t seem to pull all three phases of the game into sync as the fielding from some individuals was very disappointing and frustrating from start to finish.
With Messrs Chamberlain and Sales opening the bowling as well, it was going to be difficult for Sam and Alfie as the bowlers were fast and straight, and Sam soon succumbed to a cracking ball that saw us at 8-1.
The unofficial sweepstake on the sidelines had us potentially being bowled out somewhere between the 7th and 14th overs. Having got to 20-2 in the 6th over, the team lost three consecutive wickets on 28 and we were 28-5 and 31-7.
Skipper Alfie continued to show the maturity that has made him a part of the senior 2nd Team squad and hit four 4s in an excellent innings of 19 from 20 balls before he too was toppled by a good delivery. This was a real test for Alfie having being carried from the field briefly after being hit on the ankle while fielding. Sam Tipler and Alfie have real potential to bat together in senior cricket as they work very well together and have a desire to play, which is critical.
George ‘Tonker’ Thompson is clearly a fan of 2nd Team opener Adam Longley as he took his time and scored 3 from 25 balls, and put on 19 with Liam Morrissey who was second top scorer with 11. Spencer Smith was clearly aiming for a good time not a long time as he was clean bowled first ball as he tried to dispatch the delivery back to Cogenhoe from Overstone, leaving Aidan Garratt undefeated at the end. Aidan [who is not yet 9] has done really well playing against lads a lot older than him and it is translating into his bowling as he is now taking wickets more regularly with fewer wides.
Overall, we managed to reach 51ao from 18.4 overs so the boys confounded the sweepstake, well done!
As we reach the end of the season, some of the boys have indicated they would like an U15 team next year, some have said they probably won’t play at all and some should be involved more regularly with the senior sides. I think it has been a really good effort from the lads against some very good sides this year and I look forward to seeing them at the presentation night, if not before at practice [probably to the end of July].
Thanks to Charlie for umpiring and Ben for scoring as usual. That’s all folks until the presentation night in November.
