Bradford Cup 1st round: 5th May 2013
Team: Adam Bailey, Joe Barnett†, Jamie Coleman, Jack Hadlow, Tom King, Craig Smith*, Toby Turner (u11), Jess Walker (u11), Elliot Ward (u11), William Wheeler (u11)
After a hectic week when the team was only finalised on Saturday evening our first game of the season took place in coolish sunshine at Thurrock with 10 players, 4 of whom are under 11s.
Craig, the captain for 2013, had about 45 seconds to look at the pitch and decide what to do should he win the toss before he was asked to call. “Heads” he said, Heads it was and Craig put Thurrock into bat.
Thurrock’s opening pair made a good start with Quareshi in particular scoring quickly before retiring on 28 runs. Craig was not only in charge of a new team but with 4 under 11s there were several people he didn’t know. Brave man that he is he decided to open the bowling with the younger players. Jess bowled extremely well conceding only 5 runs from his 3 overs (the best figures by any bowler on either side). William was a bit less successful due to Quareshi but still bowled well. The fielding was pretty solid with people generally backing up one another and looking to be involved where they could.
The first change bowlers were Tom and Toby who preformed solidly keeping the runs down to about 5 an over. Elliott and Jamie were next up. Elliott was also solid showing that none of the under 11s were out of their depth in this older age group. Jamie, who normally keeps wicket, bowled the second best figures of the team today (3 overs, 9 runs) and almost got a wicket with a full toss but it was ruled to have passed above the batters waist.
A new rule for Colts this year is that any ball, regardless of pace, that passes the batter on the full above waist height is a no ball. Jamie would have got a wicket in an adult game but was denied one in the age group match. A moral victory and makes it less likely we will see Jamie behind the stumps much this season.
Craig gave himself an over late in the match and clearly wasn’t happy with his own performance so brought Jack on. Again right call as Jack took a couple of wickets and bowled very nicely ‘at the death’.
After 20 overs Thurrock had scored 101 setting a target that I thought would be interesting given it was the first game.of the season.
Craig and William opened and started like they had somewhere better to be. Whilst William was a bit careful Craig took 3 balls to see himself in then started to belt the ball as hard as he could. When Adam came out he did the same but quicker. The score rattled along reaching 42 after 5 overs, 61 from 8 and 79 from 11. Although Craig was bowled on 21 and Adam retired on 25 Joe kept the scorers busy, ably supported by Jess and Tom when needed.
We got the 102 runs required to win in the 18th over with 7 wickets in hand [technically only 6 since we had 10 players].
A pretty good result for the first game of the season. There are always things to work on (we gave away almost as many extras as the opposition scored runs) but unarguably a positive foundation to build on.
Next week Leigh away. Hopefully Kian will have recovered by then.
Player of the Match: Craig Smith