Archived Match Report

Under 13 XI vs. Wormelow - 30 Jul - The end of an Eric....Er.... Era?

This match against Wormelow was the last of the season for our U13s side and their performance matched the significance of the occasion. Although Canon Frome lost this match there was not one part of the game where the boys gave less than 100%. Canon Frome won the toss and opted to bat in the bright evening sunshine. The opening pair of Tom Day and Harry Booth were obdurate in their batting and for a while we clung to the hope that we might wear down the Wormelow attack through sheer intransigence before Harry, our first wicket, fell in the seventh over. Our captain, Eric Harris, then went out to join Tom Day scoring three Fours to become top scorer on 14 with Tom adding a further 11 runs to the total including a four. Special mention should be made here for Ben Webb, who along with Marcus Richards ended the session 'not out' at the end of the twenty overs and scored 5 runs in his first ever U13s game. If anyone is in any doubt about this achievement - this was his first outing in the higher age group and placed him joint third with Arthur Harris in the runs total. Well done Ben!

So we ran out of overs having scored 88 runs and we knew the real task now was to restrict the opposition to quick singles and stop those boundaries. Canon Frome took to this task with great zeal and determination, not to mention concentration in the field and it was almost as if they had listened to the half time advice about not letting fours go past them. The fielding all round was exemplary, with Tom Day and Eric Harris combining for a run out and Ciaran Freeman and Ben Day in the thick of the action too - the 'little blonde boy' being singled out for particular praise by the Wormelow umpire after the game. The figures for our bowling attack are impressive with just 2 No Balls and 4 Wides compared to the opposition's 3 No Balls and 21 Wides! From that some of you will have worked out that Extras was our best batsman on the day.

In the end it was just a bit too much to ask - Wormelow proved to be a very good batting side and lost just the one wicket, posting 91 in reply in just 14 overs. Wormelow themselves were great hosts providing on this occasion an umpire and scorer for the match as well as some impromptu coaching and encouragement for our team so thanks to them for making us feel welcome.

This was the last match that Eric will be eligible for at U13. He has been a fine captain and wicket keeper for us and we wish him well as he goes on to play in more senior matches for Canon Frome. There will be times when his sage judgement, calm demeanour and good humour, developed throughout his tenure as U13 captain, will be severely tested - not least tomorrow when he has to play alongside his dad and this correspondent. Good luck Eric.