first match of the season

Once we had all found the ground, we bowled first and early very impressive overs from Harvey Cooke (3-1-4-0), Ben Meecham (4-2-5-1) and Harry Bennett-Shulz (spelling? sorry if wrong! - 3-0-14-1) limited them to 12 for 2 off 8 overs (not exactly Jason Roy and Jonny Bairstow). We continued to bowl and field very well - I can only recall one fielding mistake - and James Taylor-Lewis, Vincent Keadall (with some fantastically skilful wrist spin), Buddy Keightly, Harry Farbon, Ben Parker (one over - 2 wickets - he must bowl 4 overs on Monday), Kai Scott and Pip Thompson all bowled very tidily so that we restricted them to 80 for 5 off 20 overs. A mention for Ollie Pagnell who kept with great skill and only let 6 byes through.
The message at the break was to bat with discipline, wait for the bad ball, bat the 20 overs and we would win. It was pleasing to see Harvey, Harry and Ben do exactly that and after 10 overs we looked in decent shape at 36-2 having seen off their very decent opening bowlers. We struggled to accelerate the scoring but with Harry at the crease and with 5 crucial fours and an outstanding knock of 31 (retired) we found ourselves needing 20 off the last 5 overs with Pip and James at the crease. Again they batted with enormous maturity, ran really well (including any fumble by the keeper) and we got home with 4 balls to spare.
Highlights.......everyone bowled and fielded beautifully, we had some absence and injuries so had quite a lot of Under 12s, some really mature leadership from Harvey and vice captain Ben, lads who loved it, played the game in the right spirit and even listened to the nonsense that i come up with about batting time in a 20 over game. Harry won the coveted Man of the Match prize (a large bag of Haribo star mix) for an outstanding all round performance. This team are a lovely bunch of fine fellas and it will be fun coaching them. Lets win on Monday!
Congratulations to Pete Orton on his beloved Derby getting into the Play Off final - it would be good to see them joining the imperious Champions, Norwich City, in the promised land.

James