u13s (Team 3) unbeaten and top the table after emphatic win to progress to Summer League Quarter Finals

BSCC U13s Team 3 played their much rearranged final summer league match at a sun drenched Cricketfield lane knowing a win would secure an unbeaten league campaign and a spot in the Quarter Finals. It started well with skipper Tom F winning the toss and batting. Despite a good Stortford first over, thanks to two cracking fours from Tom F, St Margs regained some control and following a couple of early wickets our depleted batting line-up was under some pressure at 38-2. However first Rees G (28*) and then Olly S (25) powered Stortford into a very strong position at half way reaching 91 off 10 overs. They both batted brilliantly hitting 10 fours and a huge six between them. Olly was particularly rapid retiring off just 9 balls! Due to early retirements in Summer League and holidays, there is more opportunity at this time of year and it was particularly pleasing to see the next set of batters take their opportunities to score and push Stortford onto a very competitive total. Kimball, Daniel P and Mattie all played their part and actually faced some of the better bowling as the opposition's two Herts players arrived late! However it was Jack T who was most able to continue the momentum set-up by the top order with a fine 19 including 3 fours at better than a run a ball. 157 off 20 overs felt like a very good effort, and so it proved.

In reply, despite a good spell from Jack T (0 for 5), St Margs initially managed to score at 7+ an over as Stortford bowled a few too many poor balls and way too many extras. 32 extras is too many to concede as a bowling unit and we'll need to improve to progress further. However, once the two Herts players had retired, a good level of control was restored thanks to an important spell from Tom F (2 for 8) and then the game was made safe late on thanks to an excellent last 4 overs from Max (0 for 4) and Ed Fallan (2 for 5). So victory by 36 runs secured and an unbeaten summer league campaign in the bag!

Both Stortford u13s teams have won all their group matches despite absences, which just goes to show the strength in depth that we have in the age group. It is clear that the general level of the whole age group has risen yet again this year, which is thanks to the coaches and parents but mostly down to the kids for their enthusiasm and dedication.

Their reward is the prospect of the two u13 Stortford teams facing off next week in a quarter final!