We started in sunshine and ended in rain but in between there was some fabulous cricket played on both sides

We lost the toss and were invited to bat. Ram and Adi strode to the wicket to face some fine bowling from ONs. Ram was patient for his 25 retired (35 balls) but showed more intent this week which was good to see. There were a couple of glorious cover drives in his innings too. Adi was powerful and struck 21 off 14 before being given out caught behind. His four 4s in a row was a highlight. Harshil sadly went without troubling the scorers before Krish 10 off 17 helped to get things going again. Fin scored 9 in good time before Charlie Brett entered and played a wonderful innings scoring 25 off just 24 balls. There were cameos for Will and Ali who managed 5 off his only delivery! A quick single with 4 buzzers!
At 112-7 off our 20 I thought we were 15 light of what we should have scored and needed. The ONs team had bowled well and until the last ball fielded exceptionally.

We had a lot to do in the field and we talked about the key fielding positions for our bowlers. Sammy 1-7 and Harshil 0-15 opened up and straight after being hit for a 6 Sammy got us off to a good start answering back next ball clean bowling their opener. Adi came into the attack and took 1-22 off 4 overs and got a key wicket putting the pressure on the ONs star batsman. Archie did not disappoint for ONs and batted brilliantly scoring 30 off 14 balls with 3 big 6s. Sam Turner thought he had him stumped well by Ali but the decision was not out,
At the half way stage ONs were ahead on 59-2.
Sam did get the Opener out who chewed up a lot of dot balls, clean bowled so after 12 overs we were right in the game at 70-4. I went out for the sanitising break and impressed on the boys the opportunity they had. The light was going, new batsmen were coming in and if we could bowl and field well we could win the game.We talked about the need for energy and as things got tighter our boys rose to the challenge.Fin Cloete too 1-18 and Krish was miserly taking 3-4 off 2 overs. Spin was working.
Ram however turned back to Harshil and Charlie for the last 4 overs. Both were magnificent and conceded just 9 runs in the last 4 overs between them Charlie ending up with 4 overs 1-9. Along with his batting a man of the match performance!
This left us victorious by 11 runs and deservedly so.
After the game, we talked about more intent when batting and how a few extra singles here and there could have made it so much more comfortable. That combined with a few poor moments of fielding including silly over throws which on another day could well have cost us the game.
However, for the boys to win that against a strong and all U13 side was amazing. Ali did a great job behind the stumps and Ram skippered well. Poor Alfie felt ill and Jack came on with a sore shoulder but everyone contributed.
A very proud coaching team tonight especially when you realise only 4 of the boys were U13 with 6 U12 and 1 U11!

Outstanding and now on to Towcestrians on Thursday