BSCC U14 B way too strong for Hitchin...

After BSCC U14s B Team won the toss, the instruction was not to worry about the result, but play fearless/attacking brand of cricket and enjoy the game!

Alex (12no) and Joe (8no) did exactly that with 40/0 after 4 overs (+20 extras!). Tom C (13no) and Harrison (9) continued with stylish shots to take the total to 76/0 after the 2nd pairing batted. Will Fox (9/2) was twice bowled to inswinging deliveries, but made it up by hitting 3 boundries, whilst Aaron scored a steady 9 to take the score to 101/2 after the 3rd pairing batted. Will S (9) and Tom M (10) didn't lose any more wickets, taking the total to a handsome 124/2 after 16 overs. The two U13s batted last, with Dan (15/1) top scoring even though he missed a straight one and Monty (0/2) was out twice in the final over. The BSCC total was an empressive 144/4 after 20 overs.

The rain then started along with poor light, so we had to get on with it! We kept the same bowling order, with Alex picking up 2 wickets and Tom C bowling a HAT TRICK, with Hitchin first pair ending on -22/5. Every other bowler kept it tight in the ever gloomy conditions. However, the 12 year old Monty selected just to make up the numbers, was the bowling highlight, picking up 3 quick wickets - almost 4 if a catch was held! Unfortunately, Hitchin was never in the game, only managing 44 runs and losing 11 wickets (or -55 runs).

I like the positive, attacking, fearless, busy and chirpy brand of cricket we were playing in the Pairs format. We knew that a wicket lost can be quickly overturned by hitting a couple of big shots! This approach would also be invaluable in other formats and when the chips are down!