U10 Hardball Win By 2 Runs

Broxbourne kindly let us bat first as the traffic wasn't great so we were short on players. Our batting was steady and was at its best when the boys focused on hitting the ball straight and defending their wickets. Henry and Sam T's partnership was the most productive with 32 runs and no wickets lost, but defence was as impressive as attack in places. The last pair James and Joseph had to face what I hope is the fastest and most accurate bowler in our hardball group. Joseph in particular did a great job of seeing him off and, although he was out once, his clip through square leg (which is becoming his trademark shot) for 4 made up for it. That defensive effort was crucial in what would prove to be a very tight game.

The bowling performance started excellently, with accurate bowling and great catching. Oliver led this with a great return catch off the second ball and by bowling the other opening batsmen off the third ball. At half way we had taken seven wickets and reduced Broxbourne to 182 with Sam C taking 2 wickets for 4 runs in that half before taking the gloves.

The second half of the innings was much harder with the Broxbourne having a quality hard hitting batter in each of the last two pairs. Some very good balls were getting hit for boundaries but the bowlers kept their accuracy. Sam T took a second wicket against the last pair but after Broxbourne hit 12 off the penultimate over they needed 11 off the last over. James bowled a good ball that got hit for 4 off the first ball in the last over, but if that worried him it didn't show, and by the last ball Broxbourne needed 4 to tie. His last ball was full outside off stump and hit hard to the point boundary, but to Joseph in the right spot and coolly fielded it sealing the win.

Fantastic finish and well done to all the team.