Roehampton CC - Under 13 v Weybridge CC - Under 13 League B

Roehampton won by 7 wickets - Weybridge all out 78 - Roehampton 79 for 3

Our final league match of the season, we were playing away at the impressive St George’s College grounds. You really did have to drive around for 5 minutes inside just to get to the pitch!

Captain Joe maintained our incredible record of winning the toss again, electing to bat. It was fine wicket, with a sizeable outfield on one side.

Their openers looked a strong pair, facing Fred and Anthony. Initially they played some nice shots with a strong run rate, but in the third over Fred struck twice, a lovely composed high catch from Anthony followed soon after but a cleaned bowled.

William and Joe followed next in attack with a further three wickets including a wicket maiden for William and some 'heat' from Joe “ooh this guys quick" the opposition cooed, or was it fear...

Then Al had his brother to thank for an excellent catch by Oz, and a quick thinking runout from Billy ‘the Wicket’. Then Veer stepped up and took two clean successive bowled (perfect length) with a chance at hat-trick off of a single over.

With the last batsman in by the only 9th over, Joe was able to give Alex, Sahil, Patrick and Oz and over each (the later getting a mother elusive maiden) and Al one more over too. The last wicket stand however were finding their mojo, so Fred was brought back on to finish the innings off.

Unusually we gave away 27 extras to the opposition’s 13, but it shouldn’t take anything away from some very strong bowling, excellent experience for the team and some lovely moments of fielding. Sahil made a great stop near the boundary, Patrick ever present and at one point Alex ran, hands aloft to the gods, almost willing the ball to drop to him as he chased the ball high in the air It was great to see them all encouraging each other and clapping the highs and lows. A team performance.

Worth noting that Weybridge have three U13 teams and this did include a few of their first tier team so it was a great performance bowling them out for only 78 runs off 15.4 overs. Bowling figures very strong all round trying to pip each other to the prize; Veer 2 for 4 off 1 over, Joe, 2 for 6 off 2, Fred 3 for 13 off 2.4, Al 1 for 5 off 2 and William 1 for 6 off 2.

So to the batting, a victory was there for the taking, everyone keen to bat sniffing a win. Cutting to the chase, we achieved the target of 79 in only 12.1 overs which showed the strength of our run rate, but they were a strong bowing side giving us few extras.

Joe opened with Oz and immediately put his cards on the table playing some lovely cover drives and running rather fast between the wickets… perhaps a little too fast for Oz who unfortunately was run out in the first over without facing a ball. Always a tough call when ball hit to point to a very capable fielder. The umpire deliberated but no joy for Oz.

Anthony returned to the team at no.3 with aplomb, also stylishly flashing the bat before Joe had to retire again on 32 not out (again!)

Fred came to the crease but unfortunately was on his way back soon after due to an excellent caught and bowled. William joined the fun, looking good only to be bowled playing across the line (tut tut the scorer / father grumbled to himself)

Billy entered the fray knowing that the game was effectively won and helped Anthony see out the last few balls together. Anthony not out on 30 and yet another not-out for himself.

A win was a fitting end to the season, our fate in the league is in other teams hands. Secretly I wished we could replay a few of those earlier fixtures. Hopefully we can get a friendly or two together with opposition before the summer is out.

Scorecards will be on the Pitchero app and Roehampton website as usual. Well played everyone, and well supported by parents throughout and thank you to Prince for umpiring and coaching, coping in his usual uber-calm way throughout with increasingly enthusiastic LBW calls.

Cheers

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