Match Report: U13s Spencer B vs LDCC, Sunday 3 May 2015
On a damp, mizzly morning in a park somewhere in Wimbledon the U13s gathered to face Spencer B. Sheltering in cars and expecting the command to turn round and go home, it was with some surprise that the match got underway. Reduced from 24 to 16 overs to reflect the initially poor weather, it all seemed slightly bonkers as canvas chairs were laid out around the boundary only to be used by spectators in winter jackets and furry boots. 1st weekend in May?
LDCC batted first with Guy and Hari as openers. They adopted good defensive play in the first two overs facing a fierce opening bowling attack matched by competent fielding. Hari fell LBW in the third over and Guy was joined very briefly by Adwait before the score became 2 – 2. Aaron came to the crease and settled in for a long spell of watching his partners come and go, beginning with Guy who not long after sending a lovely ball to the boundary skied a catch to a well-placed fielder. 12 – 3. Luke joined Aaron and showed glimpses of last season’s good form scoring two 4s in quick succession. Sadly he too succumbed to Spencer’s tight fielding and was caught, score now 22 – 4. James was next in and the pair displayed some excellent running between the wickets, the score inching upwards against a strong onslaught from Spencer. Spectators huddled together as the breeze picked up, skies darkened, trees swayed and fell down – just the one, spotted by those on the field of play but not by parents who were clearly so engrossed they didn’t notice! In the eleventh over James was bowled, the score having moved on to a respectable 32 – 5. Joe marched onto the field and shared a brief spell with Aaron who tragically slipped and was run out after spending a heroic 11 overs at the crease. Jake was next in and made his mark from the start, littering the field with fours and picking up singles with good calling and with Joe in a supporting role before he was bowled in the 15th over 55 – 7. Ninthujan fell to a run out before Tommy saw Jake home. Jake, top scorer with 23 runs not out, was certainly LDCC’s secret weapon.
Sean and Ninthujan formed the opening bowling pair, Sean with a good tight first ball delivery and Ninthujan proving difficult for the batsman to read. Adwait and Joe stopped two certain boundaries before Guy and Luke began a sharp bowling spell. Luke announced his arrival by taking a wicket with his first delivery – clean bowled. Pulling on his previous mantle of game-changer Luke took another wicket in the same over. Score 34 – 2. With Guy bowling economically at the other end the scoring rate slowed for a while (in spite of an overthrow shambles) and the match developed a competitive edge. Enter the inspired pairing of Aaron and Adwait, the latter displaying bowling talent normally hidden by wickie gloves. Tommy donned the wicket keeping gloves this match and was instrumental in the wickets taken by Aaron (ct Boxall) and Adwait (run-out Boxall). 55 – 4. With tension building Hari took the next wicket ably assisted by Tommy. 58 – 5 going in to the final over, Spencer found themselves needing 1 run to win. A no ball obliged and ended a tightly fought battle played in good spirit.
Thanks to resolute coach Brian and scorer Kumar. Also to James for being dedicated enough to play before dashing off to celebrate his Grandad’s birthday.