BSCC lose in Herts County Semis to Shenley

Bowling highlights: Cameron (3o-1r-4w), Dan (3o-1r-2w)
Batting highlights: Shaurya 9no, Ed Stabb 6

BSCC started the bowling innings strongly with Shenley Village opening pair scoring only 16/3 as both Dan and Cameron picked up an early wicket each. Shenley's second pair recovered the situation putting together 27r without losing a wicket. Cam then bowled the 11th over picking up 2 more wickets with Shenley on 250/5, but Felix just released the pressure slightly by giving away 16r with 8r extras (266/5). BSCC finished strongly through Shaun, Cam and Dan who all picked up a wicket each as Shenley ended their innings on 268/8.

So, at half time, BSCC was quietly confident chasing a below par score, with our average score for the year at 281/4. All we had to do is block the good balls and run the ball around for singles looking for occasional boundaries off the bad bowls. However, Shenley had other ideas with their strong bowling line-up and some assistance from the deteriorating wicket! Ed S and Matt who have been very strong up front through the year struggled and BSCC were -9r after the first over. In the second over Ed fended a rising delivery, but was caught with the score at 188/3 after only 2 overs. We recovered somehow with Ed striking a couple of fours and a 6 off his last ball to finish at 206/3. The second pair Cam and Cassidy were also bowled in their first over, with the score back to 195/5 after only 5 overs. The pair struggled against tight Shenley bowling only managing 205/6 after their innings. Oss and Felix started slowly and each got out again ending the 12th over at 214/8. Next walked in Daniel and Shaurya, both in the Essex U10 squad and needing 55 runs to win the match. Unfortunately, there was no fairy tail ending as they only managed 18 runs with Daniel running himself out and Shaurya taking one on the helmet! The final score was 232/9, which also happens to be the lowest team total this year. Shenley bowled well and in the right areas with the pitch also assisting the bowling. In my view one way to bat in such conditions is to use your feet and try to play the ball on half volley or full toss, with the keeper staying back.

The U10 team has reached this stage of the tournament for two years running, with 5 of the players playing in last year's final. The boys are getting great experience and hopefully they will go a step further next year for the U11s. Well done to all the 34 players in the squad for getting the team to the finals and the club's future is looking promising with the U11s also reaching the finals today.