Fantastic win for u15s to reach finals day

This was the first time for several years this group of players had reached the play offs. It’s a long way to Berkhamsted so you don’t want to come away empty handed and we didn’t! Berkhamsted were until now an unbeaten team in the league, with a big reputation. We have had a mixed season, mostly rained off but at times we have not been at our very best. Last night it all clicked into place and despite missing one or two strong players the team performed magnificently.
As is tradition now, we lost the toss and were put into bat on a pitch we knew little about. After a team talk we decided 160 was our ambition and we fiddled around with the usual batting order a bit to mix it up and try something different.

Damien and Will D opened strongly. After two overs 19 on the board including a typical Damo 6 to a short ball that left the oppo ball finding for a while. One of the opening bowlers refusing to bowl another over after being bludgeoned about by Damo. We got to 30 after 4 overs without loss before Will lost his wicket to a young lady who turned out to be a menacing spin bowler finishing with 4 wickets. Damien followed quickly to the same bowler, but had made a strong 27 off 13 balls.
Tegid came in third and it was nice to see him settle as he has had some nervy starts since joining the club. Last night he showed his class with an unbeaten 43 retired off 35 balls, smashing all the bad balls and respecting the good ones. Will Stabb was brought up the order at four to help keep the run rate ticking and played his usual speedy cameo role, bludgeoning a 6 over the bowlers head - 11 off 5 balls before edging for a catch. Good Job done by Will!

Harry Pigram joined Tegid and again bludgeoned a 6. Hannah, their star bowler got Harry on his second ball LBW but again a quick few runs and run rate ticking along nicely. Will H came in at six and again was undone by a good ball by Hannah. All of a sudden we looked a bit shaky at 59 for 5, but it was one of those nights when we showed how deep we bat when in form.

Alex came in at seven to join Tegid and played his typical game, punishing bad balls including a massive 6. He was eventually out for a respectable and speedy 15 with Tegid also retiring around this point on 43 having really anchored the innings.

Jake having been kept back to bat lower down came in late on at 8 with James at 9. With a strong total already built, these two piled on more boundaries and runs. Jake clipping 21 off 13 before being caught going for another big hit, and James with a quality 17 not out off 11 balls, again full of big hitting. Josh joined James in the last over and both made a few more to leave us on a brilliant 154 for 7 on a pretty big pitch. There was a sad incident in the field with one of the Berkhamsted boys getting a nasty gash on his chin fielding at slip. He had to go to hospital for what looked like stitches and we wish him well. His sister, Hannah the demon bowler, said he would be playing Saturday at all costs!!

So on to the Berkhamsted innings. They batted solidly right through but were always under pressure with the run rate. Their two openers looked decent and got them to 30 without loss before a mix up cost them a run out. James and Will H opened the bowling and kept the batsmen to a modest run rate. The Berkhamsted skipper came in at three and looked very dangerous before being bowled by Harry. Harry also picked up a decent wicket in his next over ending with 2 wickets for 20 runs off 3 overs. Damien also picked up a couple of wickets bowling a mix of high quality balls and the odd one too short as he and Jake got pushed around a little but never enough to catch up. Damien did get rid of Hannah who was also looking a star bat after her bowling performance. Josh, Will S and Alex bowled the last 5 overs keeping it pretty tight and ensuring the Berkhamsted tail couldn’t get anywhere near the run rate. 135 for 7. Job done!

It was a fantastic performance by all 11 players. Great team atmosphere, superb encouragement from the parents and a high quality scorebook for me to report off delivered by Gaynor. Team effort!!

On to finals day which is well deserved and we should enjoy the occasion in our own back yard.