The May Day Bank Holiday Monday evening saw the opening U13s match of the season against ON’s B side at a chilly Compton Park. Last season saw the Cooks suffer a 10-wicket defeat but optimism was high amongst the team, having had a good series of winter practice.
Will George and Archie Haldane were making their Cogenhoe Cricket Club debuts and Mohit Hellan, Mikey Smith and Niamh Garratt were making their first appearance in the U13 age group, having played before in the younger age groups.
Skipper Jake won the toss and invited ON’s to bat on the early season wicket, Mikey Smith volunteered to keep wicket after enjoying the role at practice and Anya Neal took an unaccustomed role in the field.
ON’s openers started well, with the scoreboard rattling along to 35-0, with one batsman reaching 30 in double quick time and having to retire. The run rate continued at round 7 an over when their County girl’s WK/batsman [batsperson/batswoman?] came in and continued to play correctly and strongly, and a score of 140+ was looking a distinct possibility.
All credit to the Cogenhoe bowlers though, and wickets for Liam Morrissey [3], Niamh Garratt [1] and Will George [1] pegged back the ON’s onslaught, aided by some great fielding from the whole team – certainly a few bruises were in evidence as they all committed to stopping the ball however they could to keep the runs down. A total of 107-5 from 20 overs was a great fight-back, considering the start of the innings.
At the break, the team were challenged to collectively score more than 50 runs, surpassing the 48-8 we scored against ON’s last season. That seemed a reasonable challenge, given the fading light and strength of opponent.
George ‘Tavare’ Thompson and Liam Morrissey opened the innings confidently, with both hitting boundaries, until George missed a straight one and he was bowled. Jacob Reeve came in at No3 and unfortunately for him got a first-ball duck, which wasn’t deserved given how well he had fielded.
Jake joined brother Liam and the score began to tick along nicely, reaching 47-2 after 10 overs. The target total of 50 was about to be eclipsed and the whiff of victory was in the air if they could keep the momentum up.
Having hit a number of boundaries, both batsman reached the individual 30 run limit and had to retire not out. Both Jake [31no] and Liam [30no] batted sensibly yet positively and it was now a chance for the middle order to keep the chase alive. With 5 overs left in the innings, 26 runs were required and all three results were possible.
Aidan Garratt played positively, but he and Mohit Hellan especially just couldn’t get enough bat on ball and a suicidal run to try and force the issue in the last over saw Aidan depart, with Will George coming in with the defeat already confirmed.
All credit to the boys and girls, they played brilliantly from start to finish and almost sneaked a win, against strong opposition that had a number of experienced players at this age group.
County U15’s coach James Mellor [who umpired] was very impressed by them all, especially their attitude and teamwork, well done!!
Thanks to Charlie for umpiring and Ben for scoring.
The next U13s match is on Monday 8th May, away to St Crispin’s Ryelands, while the U11s make the trip to Brixworth’s Dallas Burston Ground on Sunday morning, 10am start.