The latest bulletin from Mr Rogers (painfully typed I presume with an injured hand)!
U15’s LOSE!!!!
Long Ditton lost bitterly on Sunday morning away to a very strong Spencer side. Things started well for Long Ditton with captain Tom Rogers winning the toss and electing to bat on what looked like a batsman’s paradise which left the Long Ditton Batsman licking their lips.
The game began with New Opening Partnership Ryan Cording and Aravinden Ratnakumar getting off to a solid start and seeing off the opening few overs. However, Ratnakumar went in the 4th over for 2, which brought the injured Captain Rogers too the crease. This showed as he struggled with timing and hitting the ball and he fell 2 overs later without scoring. Oliver Neely was in next, he has been somewhat in the runs this season and this showed straight away as he played an array of shots on his way to 16. Meanwhile, Cording had got into his stride and hit 3 beautifully timed shots for four before falling for 14. This brought, Keen to impress, Kevin Langford to the crease. However, His innings was cut short by a brilliant piece of bowling as he was bowled for 6. The in-form Adam Barlow was next in and he started exactly where he had left off the previous evening for the 2’s by playing an array of strokes through the offside and straight as he made an excellent 16 which really helped steady the innings. He then fell which brought the technically correct left Hander Jake Quinn to the crease. However, he struggled in the last few overs as he and the hard-Hitting Charlie Clark struggled to beat the field and the Long Ditton innings ended in a whimper on 98-6.
It then took an inspirational team talk from Chris and Imogen Neely to get the team focused for what would clearly be a difficult innings. Captain and Vice Captain Tom Rogers and Adam Barlow then came up with an ingenious plan that if worked would prolong the game but if failed would get the game over very quickly and leave them in hot water with the coach (and even more terrifyingly the coaches Daughter!)
So the innings began with Captain Rogers Opening the bowling with his off spin. This was the big master Plan that Rogers and Barlow had thought up. It seemed the plan had worked as the first over was a maiden. This was the first of his career and he was quite clearly delighted by this as well. Barlow opened from the other end and as he always does bowled with accuracy and consistency and he got his first wicket in the 6th over as he bowled a ball on a good length which was driven in the air to Extra Cover where Jake Quinn took an Unbelievable Diving Catch to his right leaving Spencer 16-1. This turned out to be only wicket of the day. Rogers bowled 2 overs for 8. He then turned to All Rounder Ollie Neely. He bowled exceptionally going for 2 runs off his first 2 over spell. Henry Clark replaced Adam Barlow but he never really got going and was replaced after a two over spell. Troy Judkins bowled really well replacing Neely. However, he then changed ends and things did not go well as he was hit for 2 sixes and a four. He was then given a break which meant Neely came on to finish u his spell but he too was taken off after just 1 of his remaining overs as the total was whittled down to just 5 to win. Coach Neely then suggested mucking about with the field so Rogers brought James Gledhill onto bowl his Leg Spin. To the attacking field of 6 Slips, 1 leg slip, a short over and a short midwicket. As the Spencer opener knocked the total down to just to with a three after a dilscoop. The winning runs where hit through Mid On and in the mean time nearly cleared up the non-striker who had to take evasive action.
Overall, Long Ditton did make a game of it. But they were always going to struggle when setting such a modest total. However, There were many positives from the performance. There was the emergence of Adam Barlow as a genuine all rounder. As well as Tom Rogers showing he too has the potential to be an all rounder. The fielding was also a particular highlight.
The u15’s now have a Sunday off as their next and final game of the season is on the 25 July at Stokes Field. Come and show your support for what will be Tom Rogers, Ryan Cording, Adam Barlow, Aravinden Ratnakumar, Charlie Boxall and Kevin Langford’s last game for the u15’s. Entrance to the game will be free and as always there will be a 9.45 start.
See you soon J,
Tom Rogers