The U12s continued their winning streak with a victory over Worcester Park on Monday, 19th May.
Henry Blofeld of Test Match Special fame would have loved the scene. A perfect early summer evening of bright sunshine and suprisingly searing heat. Trains gliding in and out of Worcester Park station, commuter craning their necks to watch the cricketing action on the sunsoaked field of play. No pigeons but a few gnats.
Worcester Park won the toss and opted to bat first. Bowling 6 overs in tandem, openers Ben and Sean kept the batsment in check. Ben striking first in his second over with Tommy taking a fine catch. Sean didn’t get the wicket he deserved with his very tight bowling but produced 2 maidens in his 4 over spell. The next wicket fell with a crack ball off Tommy’s spin – in a wicket maiden (the first of his 3 maiden overs). With the score at 15 – 2 Long Ditton’ bowlers supported by strong fielding looked to be taking charge. The batsmen settled for a while though, the next wicket falling in the 13th over to Tom’s bowling, 34 – 3. Amongst spirited appeals and responsive fielding Worcester Park’s score ticked over and upwards. In a flurry of activity during Ben’s final over 2 more wickets fell – to a run-out and a splending stumping from Louis in his first outing as a wicket-keeper. The target to win – 71.
Unusually Guy and Tom opened the batting and frustratingly for them both fell quickly to some strong bowling from Worcester Park. 4 – 2 with 2 overs down. Tommy and Louis stabilised the situation with Louis sending some classy shots to the boundary. As skies clouded over and the commuters thinned out, Louis was out LBW for 17. Tommy found a new batting partner in Luke and there followed some excellent running between the wickets. 7 runs away from the target Tommy fell to a run-out. Luke became the reliable anchorman as he saw out the rest of the innings, watching first Hari and Ben arrive and depart quite quickly (rather like the trains). With nerves jangling slightly at the prospect of an England-like collapse, James joined Luke at the crease and saw Long Ditton safely home.
Worcester Park 71 – 5 off 20 overs. LDCC 72 – 6 in 16.5 overs
Thanks to JP for stepping into Brian’s shoes and Simon for scoring. Well done boys, onwards and upwards!
Kathryn