u11s 8-a-side vs. Hertford

A very inexperienced Stortford side lost to Hertford in an 8-a-side match at Cricketfield lane. This was a first organised cricket match for many. Hertford batted first and struggled to score throughout managing only 21 runs off the bat in 16 overs.....however we bowled too many wides and no balls (43 runs from extras!) We took two wickets (1 each for Dan Reddington and Byron Scott) and the Hertford total of 255 (you start on 200) did not look too intimidating.
Our chase did not start well...we lost 2 wickets in the first 4 balls! However we settled after a tricky start and Henry Lowe and Thomas Anderson got us back above 200 in their 4 overs. Byron Scott hit a couple of lusty blows in his 6 runs and Conran Fleet and Barney Anderson steered us to a target of 20 off the last 4 overs. Despite a sparkling 15 from Ed Warren we lost 4 wickets in the last 4 overs and ended well short of our target. Lots of lessons to learn but a great effort from the new boys. This 8-a-side league is very much where we'll give kids the opportunity to play (sometimes for the first time) matches of cricket in a safe no-blame environment.