Match report Ditton U13’s vs Richmond
This was Ditton’s best performance of the year and again a match that should have brought them their second league win of the year. The standout performances were from Matthew Stevens who reached his fourth consecutive 40 retired not out in league matches and Joe Rodgers who took 3 for 19. They bowled and fielded fantastically and really could not have played any better.
There were some great stops, catches, stumpings and run outs as Richmond reached 120 for 7 off their 24 overs. William Bradley and Matt Baker opened the bowling and both bowled brilliantly with William finishing with 1 for 4 and Matt 0 for 15 off their 4 overs. Louis Williams came on to bowl and off course got a wicket with his first ball. Sam Creasey also got a wicket when Henry Clarke took a great catch to get their big hitting giant out. Joe Rodgers as he had done in his last league game bowled his spin and took three wickets one of which was a great stumping by Jacob Byford. Zac Barlow also got a wicket during his excellent spell of 1 for 34.
Ditton without the hockey playing Hugo L opened with William who was playing well until he was out caught for 12. He and Matthew Stevens had put on a steady 20 and Ditton looked in a good position. It was now for the middle order to take Ditton to a well deserved victory. unfortunately the Ditton middle order has been struggling all season and it did again with Richmond getting 4 very quick wickets. Tommy Daniel joined Matthew and he showed last year’s form with a great knock of 15 which included 2 lovely fours. Matthew who started slowly raced to his 40 retired not out after the drinks break to set up a nail biting finish. The Ditton supporters were as usual their vocal selves and as Ditton approached Richmond’s total they were noiser than a South African Vuvuzela. Ditton ended 10 runs short but this was a great high quality match and the boys can be very proud of themselves.