BSCC U10s Incrediball team Second Best in Hertfordshire!

The U10s Incrediball team did very well to come second in the County Finals at a very hot Radlett CC on Sunday.

The semi final was against Hatfield Hyde and BSCC fielded first. Dylan and Ruben both got a wicket each but dropped catches allowed their first pair to get net 17/2. Steady bowling meant the second pair only scored 12 runs and further good work with the ball meant their third pair only scored 14. Their last pair got off to bad start when Ruben held onto an excellent caught and bowled, then Ossie took a tumbling catch at mid-on. Another wicket from Dylan came in the next over but their batsmen played some good shots to get up to 257/ 5 at the end of their innings, a decent total but one which was achievable.

In reply, Dylan and Felix, our first pair, scored net 214/1, with Dylan getting 10*. Ruben and Cassidy lost 2 wickets but benefited from several wides and no-balls and took some well run singles to take the score to net 225/3. The key partnership was between George and Dexter (8*) whose 13 off the bat was amplified by a number of wides to get to 254/3. Ossie and Ollie had a seemingly simple task to get us home, but , an unlucky drag-on then a communication error resulting in a run-out meant that they had to work a bit harder than expected. However, Ollie’s calm 8* and Ossie blocking the last two balls meant BSCC won with 259/5 to earn their place in the final. The key thing about this game was BSCC only conceded 18 extras whilst HHCC conceded 35 extras, which was crucial in the end.

BSCC batting struggled in the final against Old Albanians. OAs bowled straight and too many big shots were attempted when positive defence against the good balls, looking for singles rather than boundaries, would have been much more productive. The first pair lost 3 wickets in scoring 9 runs to leave us at 194/3. Cassidy and Ruben got the score moving, with a partnership of 25, helped by 19 extras, and only lost one wicket so the score reached 214/4. The third pair had a tough time against some good bowling and unfortunately lost 6 wickets, so we were back down to 197/10. However, Ollie and Ossie did very well in only losing one wicket against some very good bowling, getting up to 209/11 with Ossie top scoring for the innings with 7*. The message was to give the bowling and fielding everything and just see what happens.

We got off to a perfect start when Ossie took 2 wickets in the first over, the second an excellent catch at mid-on by Ruben. The next ball, Ossie then calmly ran out their opener and with a wicket for Ruben and some decent bowling they were back at net 200/4 after the first pair. Although, there was another run out by Ollie the wkt in the 6th over, slightly looser bowling allowed their 2nd pair to get up to 224/5. Their 3rd pair froze under the pressure of accurate bowling from George, Felix and Dexter, and a good catch by Ossie at substitute wkt off Ollie kept them to 229/6 when their last pair came to the wicket. A few too many extras were given away against their 4th pair and they won the game comfortably and deservedly in the end on net 252/6. However, BSCC had not given up at any stage and competed until the very end.

There were many real positives in the field. Ossie as captain was complimented by both umpires for his setting of good fields and his demands of his side for concentration, intensity and staying where they were put! Some of the fielding was good, especially Ruben’s catching, Felix and Ossie’s aggressive ground fielding and Ollie behind the stumps was very tidy. The bowling was mostly straight if not with quite the same bite as the OAs side. In the batting, we lost too many wickets in the end, which is a real take-away for these players as they progress to higher levels.

Nevertheless, they should be very proud of their achievement and the efforts they put in playing two games on such a hot day. To come second in Hertfordshire is highly creditable and the boys well deserve their medals.

Finally, Radlett CC should be congratulated for hosting the event so well and especially the two Radlett members who umpired all three games and showed great empathy and created an excellent positive, but relaxed atmosphere with the young players, deserve particular mention.