U12s v HERTFORD

Edward won the toss and decided to bowl first on a warm sunny evening. Sam H and Matthew L started well as their openers struggled for runs taking a few risky singles. The introduction of spin brought the breakthrough as Sam took a stunning 1 handed catch off Liam which was followed by a run out as Vishal made a brilliant stop and throw with the new batsman well short. Edward continued the good start by clean bowling 2 players in 1 over and Liam then did the same leaving Hertford 34 for 6 after 9 overs. The 2 batsmen in then were very cautious against the bowling of Adam, James, Robert and Jack but managed to take the score to 106-6 at the close with the help of 43 extras - a number of boys unfortunately drifted out of position during the over giving opportunities to run more byes.
Our reply started disasterously as Toby was beaten by a good first delivery but Liam and Edward steadied the ship batting sensibly with Edward taking the lead hitting 5 boundaries in his 30 not out. Liam soon followed by retiring on 31 not out leaving us 71-1 with 9 overs to go. Vishal and Sam took a while to get going but then Sam took the attack to the spinner hitting him for 10 in an over and, with lots of byes and wides, got us very close only for him to call for a single that Usain Bolt would have struggled to get home and was run out for 13. Adam was unluckily bowled off a full toss so it was left to Robert to join Vishal to get the final few runs for victory with 1 over to spare.
We now have 4 games left so hopefully we can secure the League title and get a home draw in the Qtr finals.
Graeme