U12 Away to Sawbridgeworth - An incredible win!

Having won the toss we put Sawbridgeworth in to bat. They batted steadily throughout and we took regular wickets (5 in total). Our bowling was really positive with everyone in the team bowling well. Freddie and Harry opened the bowling both claiming wickets. Brendan and Bertie followed giving only 10 runs away in 4 overs between them. Bertie also got a wicket. Will and Luke kept up the good work with Will getting the only maiden over and Luke bowling well to take a wicket. Jake and JP kept up the momentum and Jake also took the last of our 5 wickets bowling very tightly. Charles and Dylan kept it tight at the end of the innings to keep Sawbridgeworth below a 100 runs which left us a good chance on a small pitch. Unfortunately once again our fielding was poor and the boys lacked real energy in the field. We dropped a number of easy catches and quite often appeared to watch the ball go past in the field rather than do anything about stopping it. One to work on for the play offs!! We need to bring our fielding up to the high standard of our bowling.

Chasing 96 we started well with Luke and Ben getting us off to a good start. Luke made a quick 17 very positively to keep us ahead of the run rate. Ben went on to make 14 defying some good bowling and then we suffered a mid order collapse. Brendan, Bertie and Jake were all out quickly to very good bowling while Will, Ben and Harry were all run out totally unnecessarily. Another learning boys!

Freddie had come in at number 7 and looked in good form but unfortunately the wickets continued to fall, JP and Dylan also went quickly to some good bowling and suddenly we found ourselves needing 37 to win with one wicket remaining. Charles who was nursing a knee injury joined Freddie at the crease and at this point the game looked all but lost. However, these two boys pulled off something quite heroic and possibly as good a last wicket partnership as you will see at u12. Freddie was booming everything back over the bowlers head and took some chances but it was exactly what was required at this stage. Charles played some lovely shots around his legs to support and they collected runs very quickly. In the last over bowled Freddie was facing and scored 20 off 5 balls for a total of 33 not out. An amazing end to a match that looked lost. Well done to everyone on the night. Man of the match has to be Freddie!

Mark