U13 EAGLES BEAT BROXBOURNE BY 7 WICKETS

With the weather finally improving and the nights getting longer, the U13 Eagles delivered 'hope' of their own, with a strong performance to comfortably beat 'arch rivals' Broxbourne in their HJL fixture at Cricketfield Lane yesterday evening.

Captain Will Hodges won the toss and elected to insert the visitors in to bat, a decision which was to prove all the more wise as the evening progressed. The Eagles bowling attack was at its 'miserly best', initially led by Tom Foden and Olly Sturrock (both with identical figures of 1 wicket for 15 runs from 3 overs), the incredibly economical Ethan Hill (who conceded just 6 runs from 3 overs) and Sam McGinn (2 overs with just 7 runs conceded). Frank Partridge broke a dangerous 2nd wicket stand and Will Hodges later picked up 2 key wickets, one with a stunning 'back of the hand' ball to remove the Broxbourne danger man.

But there was no doubt who was the real 'star' of the Eagles bowling attack. Will Richardson bowled 2 mesmerising overs of leg spin, to finish with the incredible figures of: 2 overs, 4 wickets for just 7 runs. His line and length absolutely bamboozled a host of Broxbourne batsmen, to really swing the match in favour of the Eagles.

Ultimately Broxbourne were restricted to a total of just 100 for 9 wickets.

So our plan with the bat was quite simple; bat ALL the overs 'sensibly' and we would win this match. And so it proved.

A solid foundation and opening partnership from the impressive Ciaran Wilson (20), who hit a glorious cover drive early on, and Hodges (16), meant at the half way stage the Eagles were 51-1 (chasing 101 to win).

It was left to Charlie Waugh and Sturrock (both 21 not out) to guide the team home, as the Eagles won with a full 12 balls to spare. Sturrock sealed victory with a glorious lofted shot down to the long on boundary.

There's no doubt that this was an impressive performance. The constant energy in the field. The incredibly consistent line and length of the bowlers. This was then followed by a composed and patient approach to the run chase.

It's a big step in the right direction. But "one swallow certainly does not make a summer". More big tests await.