Boys shine in the dark

On a warm (and dry!) evening at Cricketfield Lane, our U12s brought a weather-affected season to a close with a thoroughly enjoyable game against High Roding's talented U13s.

Our opponents brought a strong side across and batted first. Chris Millns made the breakthrough by bowling one of the openers, but this only succeeded in allowing Roding's Essex batsman Buttleman to the crease. He looked a class act in compiling 28 while his batting partners Sharp and Sturge also retired without ever really looking like getting out.

There wasn't much joy for our bowlers until Zac Izod came on and took a sharp caught and bowled to dismiss the number 5. He then bowled full and straight to claim another two wickets and end with 3-14 from his four overs.

Overall the boys fielded and bowled quite well, although High Roding were very generous in retiring some of their batsmen to give others a chance to play and could have scored 150 had they wanted.

Our reply began in fairly disappointing fashion with both Niall Trimble and Will Bowman playing loose shots to be bowled cheaply. Skipper Alec Chappell survived a couple of drops but soon hit his stride and retired with 28, sharing a useful stand of 21 with Adam Crowther.

Aaron Trehan, Sam Gardner and Alex Brown all came and went, but as the light closed in with dark clouds gathering above the town, Ben Warman arrived at the crease like a galloping knight of the realm and bludgeoned his way to an entertaining 26. Our guests sportingly reprieved him after a clear run out, and Ben then survived a possible (obvious) edge behind. He was joined at the crease by Connor Mak, who finally demonstrated some of the batting talent that he has by playing a superb innings of 25, full of cuts, drives and excellent running. Roding were again extremely gracious in ensuring their bowlers cut down their pace in the poor light, and with Zac Izod and Chris Millns at the crease we passed our vistors' total with a couple of overs to spare.

Even though we won the game, the result was immaterial as the main objective was to provide the boys with an enjoyable late season match. Many thanks to Ted Buttleman and his team for entering into the spirit of the occasion and to Eddie Ballard and Dan Blacktopp for umpiring and joining the fun.