u13s League R&FCC v Richmond Match Report

The u13s suffered their first loss in the league by 26 runs to a decent Richmond side. For 5 players it was their 1st league game of the season and everyone contributed. A special mention and thanks to Rayyan (and Parveen, his mum providing the transport) who at the last minute rushed from another venue to make it for the end of the 1st innings due to an admin mix up. The team could have won this match, there were a few contributing factors: the fielding needs to improve, the players were possibly too deep and easy runs were given away with misfields, 3 of which went for 4. The team bowled pretty well given the number of changes, 10 players bowled! However, the team coughed up 20 extras including 11 wides to Richmond's 11 extras and dropped a couple of catchable catches. So it shows how games are won and lost on fine margins and how important fielding is.

Richmond won the toss and batted first. Fred and Anthony shared the wicket keeping duties in the absence of a regular keeper and did well - another reason why so many players bowled. Anthony got 2 good stumpings. Daisy and Fred both took sharp catches. Benedict bowled some excellent spin and picked up 3 wickets, Ollie and Veer 2 each. All the bowlers contributed with Alex, Daisy and Anthony all picking up 1 each. It looked like the team were going to restrict Richmond to sub 90 runs but they really upped their strike rate and were bowled out in 19.3 overs for 110.

With our regular openers missing Fred & Ollie opened and started well and looked set, Fred fell to some good bowling and Anthony then came in. Ollie batted really well to reach 30 (115 strike rate) not out (retired) and Anthony went for 16 (73 strike rate). Veer added 10 important runs (67 strike rate) as did Rayyan at the end of the innings, 8 runs (100 strike rate), but most other batsmen fell to a good bowling attack, incl. 3 ducks.

Overall, just a handful more runs, tighter fielding and less wides would have won us the game. But good that a few more players got to experience league cricket.

Many thanks.
Greg Sendell.