U13s v Old Rutlishians - fun in the sun as formidable opposition end Cup bid

Coach's report (Nik Ilukkumbure)
What was good: Many batsmen got off the mark and seized opportunities for singles with good calling and backing up. Good team spirit against a very accomplished opposition including at least 3 district level players.
Room for improvement: In the field clarity over positions appropriate for bowler choice and batsman strengths. With the bat playing oneself in, defending the good, waiting for the bad balls and finding the gaps in the field.

Bowling Highlights:
Alex 9 runs for 0 wickets off 2 overs
Basty 9-0 2
Kyan 6-0 1
Charlie 15-0 2
Mihir 16-0 2
Elliot 16-0 2
William P 8-0 1
Jim 12-0 1

Batting Highlights:
Mihir 22 runs
Elliot 22
Kyan 8
William P 7
Jim 4
Hugh 3
William LT 2

Match report (Jonathan Peacock)
Well, it was a fine sunny Sunday morning at a picture perfect Blagdons Sports Ground and 11 valiant warriors played a boisterous, good humoured [Surrey Cup] match against local rivals Old Ruts.

Roehampton batted first against some accurate and fast opening bowling from a committed and quality Old Ruts team and were quickly in trouble, losing quick wickets in the first couple of overs with barely a run on the board. After some gritty overs where the ship was steadied, RCC kicked on in the middle of the innings with Mihir and Elliot each making a fine 22 with some valuable support from the middle and lower order who tried to stay in as long as possible. In the end the overs just ran out and RCC were left having made a below par 93 for 7.

After a short turn around (and good cake) RCC set out to frustrate the visitors but immediately came up against a solid opening pair who played the good balls with skill beyond their years and walloped the bad ones, picking up regular 4s on a big pitch. Alex and Basty bowed valiantly in opening, each keeping the runs down to 9 off their 2 overs but the change bowlers found it difficult to keep the run rate down. With two of the Old Ruts batsmen retiring at the required 30, RCC were left trying desperately to take wickets with adventurous field settings (at one point 4 slips and a couple of short fielders) as the score crept inevitably towards 94. The game fizzled out in the 13th over, with Old Ruts worthy - and in the end - easy winners.

The boys had a fun morning, playing with their mates and came up short against a good side. Not
the end of the world….

Good effort boys!