Development team complete the double over West Bridgfordians

A sunny afternoon and a bone dry pitch greeted the 4th XI development team at Stamford Road as they arrived to take on West Bridgfordians. Tactically losing the toss, Captain Finlay was invited to bat and in a show of almost prescient confidence placed himself 8th in the batting order and sent Diego and Swayam out to face the opening bowlers.

Both players looked comfortable, with Diego hitting the boundary before being caught one handed by a leaping fielder from a well hit shot that would otherwise have gone for four. The general hush of disbelief on the team was broken by Charlie Tyler lifting his bat and striding out confidently into the field of play – little did the assembled players and spectators know but the pivotal innings of the match was about to begin.

Charlie and Swayam settled into seeing off the opening bowlers, playing with confidence and care. Swayam, sensing the need the push the score along, was well caught at mid-on driving at a good length ball. Samuel arrived at the crease and played positively in the face of some tight bowling, providing support for Charlie who continued to steadily accumulate runs, hitting the bad balls to the boundary and playing with what looked like supreme confidence. Samuel, again looking to push the run rate up, edged one to the keeper at which point Ellerslie were at 61-3.

Feeling the benefit of some positive pre innings throw downs with our team motivator (Sachin) Tom strode confidently to the crease and after sighting the first two balls hit the third to the boundary. This set the tone for Tom’s innings as he hit three further fours and four singles in his 16 ball innings to move the score to 90-4. He was bowled off his pads by a bouncing turning ball from the WB spinner.

Ethan then came to the crease and after showing confidence and style against the opening balls hit the boundary twice before being run out going for a second run with the speedy Charlie. Positive play by Ethan which was exactly what was needed with lots of wickets in hand and the mighty Hulbert waiting in the wings.

Naveen came in to face the WB death bowlers and provided an excellent foil for Charlie, sharing in stand of 20 before being bowled attempting to hit the final ball of the innings into the distant allotments. A good effort by the batsmen in the face of a consistently accurate bowling attack. The stand out performance was of course Charlie Tyler. Scoring 63 from 83 balls and anchoring the innings from the third over onwards, he looked untroubled by any of the bowlers and supported all the following junior batsman to play with positivity and confidence. His first competitive 50 – congratulations.

The total of 129 was certainly defendable but would take a bowling and fielding performance of legend to avoid going to the wire- our glorious leader was never in doubt and so it proved.

The opening WB batsmen were never allowed to get into their stride with our opening spell of disciplined accurate bowling. Matthew added extra pace and a flatter trajectory to his spin and removed both openers in an overall spell of 6-0-12-2. The second wicket via a late taken catch by Colin who used all of his 240cm reach (plus a jump) to grab the ball from the sky.

The fielding overall was excellent with Samuel pocketing a rocket of a square cut at point off Naveen who bowled with determination and resilience when WB started to hit out. Diego got his revenge against the WB bowler who took his wicket, running him out with the aid of the Special One behind the stumps, and Tom, taking an excellent c&b following in a fast ball which bounced on the No.3. Charlie followed his batting heroics with a rock solid performance at mid on / off.

All of the bowlers played their part in restricting WB to 96-6 in a match which always looked to be beyond WB’s reach but needed the bowlers and fielders to be on their mettle right to the end. Mention also to Samuel and Ethan who bowled a combined 8 overs for 12 runs and to Sachin and Swayam who bowled to the strongest of the WB batsmen but never let them get on top. Finally, to the senior players. Captain Fantastic who kept wicket and put up with a number of leg side yorkers, beamers , throws directed at his ankles, and despite not getting to bat, was positive and calm (and bruised) all the way through. Diego, vocal and constantly encouraging in the field, and Sachin – probably one of the most infectiously happy people I’ve ever played a match with!

Opposition were great, the weather was fine, we won, and England beat Croatia – what a Sunday !

I’ll also mention Adam Newell who turned up to support. You could’ve kept your top on a bit longer Adam.