Its Friday night, the Fifth game and only five players

Rayleigh u12     114-4
Horndon on the Hill u12 77-1

Rayleigh win by 37 runs

Team: Matt D., Conor S., Jordon J., Craig S., James B

Friday 19th saw us turn up at Grays with only 5 players. It appears some of our younger players want a social life. Can’t understand it myself. Craig S  also played for the team for the first time, his first indoor game.

Matt again was captain with the difficult problem of managing a side with one short. A task made easier by the prompt offer by Horndon on the Hill to lend us a fielder when we fielded. An offer that was both appreciated and grabbed with both hands. Thanks again Horndon.

Matt  lost the toss and we were put into bat. Our new opening partnership Conor and Matt started well with Matt retiring yet again on 25 including hitting a 6. Conor made 19, also including a 6, before being run out in the 7th over.  As we went for runs wickets fell regularly allowing Matt to return and up his score to 40 (with another couple of 6s) and being not out. A good captain’s innings and the total score was 114 for 4.

Conor and Craig opened the bowling for us in the second half, didn’t give away many runs and didn’t take any wickets. Jordan and James bowled in the middle and did much the same (James being particularly mean giving away only 8 runs) and Matt came on at the end, having swapped the gloves with Conor, bowled 3 overs and got our only wicket. Horndon batted well with some good drives straight back down the ground for 4 … which also brought out some good dives from Matt in trying to stop them. However our fielding was pretty good with players backing up each other and the stumps. And having the 6th player from Horndon was definitely a benefit.  Traditionally loaned fielders take a catch to get their teammate out but, for better or worse, this didn’t happen. Probably a good thing.

So a cracking performance but 5 young players who kept our unbeaten record. We now lie second in the League, 8 points behind the leaders Orsett. Who we play next week. In the final game.

Nail biting finish to the League or what?