Archived Match Report
Under 15 XI vs. Brockhampton - 27 Jun - A Learning Curve
We had a bit of bad luck in this game – namely – losing the toss. We could really have done with batting first just to see how far we could take this game but it was not to be and so we took to the field to watch Dom Larkin and new signing Ollie Rogoff smash sixes around Brockhampton and the surrounds. It felt like Dom was only batting for about three overs before he was retiring on 53. It was a brutal onslaught to be truthful and I would advise anyone of a nervous disposition to avoid going to the ‘Play cricket’ website. If we kept their opening batsman down to just 16 runs an over it felt like a small victory. I must admit that watching our team I was proud with how they coped. They worked as a team in the field and supported each other against quite a formidable attack. I honestly think we fielded better than the opposition (when we weren’t searching for the ball in nearby woods).
When it came to batting there were a few things we could have done better – like staying in – but nevertheless we still had some good performances from Arthur (again) scoring 25 and Tom Davies (again) scoring 20. Truth be told, if we could have extracted just 3 players from their team we could have really given them a match. Our nemesis, Ollie Rogoff, scored 50 runs before retiring then proceeded to be involved in almost every wicket of ours that fell including, it has to be said, a terrific catch to dismiss Arthur who was batting very well indeed up to that point.
Anyway, it’s only our first defeat and we shall dust ourselves off and learn from the experience – a few pointers:
If the batsman backing up is on their way down the strip after the ball is released almost any shot will get us a run.
If you do run then RUN don’t hesitate and reconsider. Most times you will get there if you don’t do a little dance in the middle and change your mind mid-run.
If you find yourself batting in the last over with other wickets to spare go for it and if it’s the last ball aim to take a run anyway.
When fielding be aware which end might be the better bet to effect a run out – if the batsman backing up is halfway to the batsman’s crease throw it to the bowler’s end. The batsman may still be thinking about setting off.
Rotate the bowling attack so the batsmen don’t get familiar with the same attack over after over. Charlotte Bridges was our most economic bowler and the Brockhampton coach, Richard Binnersley, came up at the end of the match to reveal how relieved his team were that we didn’t bowl Sylvie. They still remember last year apparently!
If we keep playing as we are but perhaps add a little more urgency into our fielding and a little more composure in our batting then we will be well on the way to being near the very top of this league.
Well done to everyone who played their part and thank you to Luke for coaching and umpiring and Sally and Ronnie for scoring.
