u13 sloggers down Broxbourne to go joint top!

League wins against Broxbourne have always proven elusive for the Sloggers, until now! We lost the toss and were asked to bat. Broxbourne's first four bowlers really kept the pressure on against our openers. A few extras helped, but we were less than 4 an over after 8 overs. However Will T (19) loosened the shackles with a couple of fine boundaries before being bowled leaving partner, the excellent Sam B (retired 32), to continue that momentum along with the outstanding Toby R whose 30* came at better than a run a ball! Late biffing by Lewis and Harry F meant we had a healthy 137 for the loss of just one wicket, helped by 39 extras! Was it enough?

In response we bowled with great control and nerve. Arthur (thanks Granny for getting him there or we would have had 9!) and Harry kept it tight early on. Early spin from Sam B induced the odd false stroke and Eddie F's pace took the first wicket. Broxbourne's middle order contain much threat and so it proved. Suddenly the Sloggers were under pressure, however marshalled expertly in the field and having set a challenging run chase, the run rate remained high for Broxbourne. Wickets at vital times helped along with Rees’s tidy keeping. Ed W bowling full and straight, clean bowled the opposition’s main batter, but the ball of the night was left for Austin G (Ozzy)!

Over the winter some boys tried out slower balls in the nets. However, It takes both skill and guts to use a slower ball in the middle when the opponents are hitting out, but that’s what Ozzy did. The batter who was set and accelerating swung hard, swung early and was skittled! With the Ashes in mind think Steve Harmison to Michael Clarke 2005! Despite some more lusty blows against them, Ed W and Arthur held their nerve to see Stortford home by 8 runs!

Now for the local derby with two of the Stortford A teams joint top of the table!