u13s Old Ruts v R&FCC Match Report

Another one that got away...(maybe)...Old Ruts are a good side (especially with the bat), sitting top of the league unbeaten. However, this was a good close game that we could have won. There were a number of factors that could have changed the result. William was Capt this week and we were asked to field, which Will thought was a good toss to lose, he did a good job as skipper. Their openers put on 30, then their number 3 and 4 both retired not out on 30+ so they had a very strong top order. The fielding in general was pretty good with lots of good stops. Quentin and Fred shared the WK duties and did a decent job but the team missed a regular keeper. Our extras were 26, which is pretty high but only 2 more than Old Ruts, however 18 of ours were byes. 10 players had a bowl! However some struggled to keep the run rate down against good batsmen. The pick of the bowlers had the lowest run rates: Fred (2.0), Veer (3.0), William (3.67) and Joe (4.0) who also picked up a good wicket. Oz produced a great run out too, but we also had 2 dropped catches, which were tough - but catchable. In terms of misfields the team were much better and only allowed 4 extra runs.

5 batsmen contributed well. Joe and Oz opened and after settling in started to get some runs. Oz was out to a very debatable LBW call on 8. Ollie batted with intent and had a great strike rate (123) before being bowled by a great ball. Joe batted really well to get to 30 (retired not out) but found it hard to increase his strike rate (52). Fred (12, strike rate 110) and Al (15, strike rate 150) realised they had to hit out as the team started to run out of overs in the run chase and added decent runs but we fell short - a combination of the strike rate being too slow and other batsmen not being able to get going - and possibly not utilising the extra balls - they bowled 15 wides (to our 5).

It was a great game, good opposition and an exciting run chase but on this occasion the team didn't quite have enough.

Greg Sendell.