Guildford CC U15s vs Weybridge CC U15s (Tier 1 league)

Before the Euros final, Guildford's U15s travelled to St George's College for an away fixture against Weybridge. Both sides are typically in the Top 4/5 places in the league, in previous seasons.

Weybridge won the toss and elected to bat first on a relatively slow wicket, and green outfield.

Seb Dunn and Cameron Sim opened the bowling against a strong opening pair. Other than an inside edge for 4 runs, boundaries were tough to come by early on; but the running between the wickets was strong from Weybridge.

Matthew Bisset came on at first change, with Adam Thomas, and he was the pick of the bowlers. Firstly a good delivery seamed back to take the middle stump, before Adam Thomas took a comfortable catch in the cover region. A bit later on, Matthew Bisset took his third wicket after a skyed shot to Luke Smith at mid off. Matthew Bisset closed with figures of 6-0-26-3.

All of Weybridge's top 4 reached double figures, but they were being restricted to a strike rate of 57-60.

George Thompson and Aarav Malhotra were then brought into the attack, with both bowlers being rewarded.

The wicket was producing good turn, and George Thompson picked up a wicket when a frustrated shot was skyed to Adam Thomas at mid wicket.

The other two wickets fell to Aarav Malhotra, bowling full and straight to clean up the wickets.

Morgan Barnes and Max Towers both kept wicket very effectively, for their 15 overs each, with only 4 leg byes conceded in the innings.

Weybridge reached 124 for 6, off their 30 overs. Despite the slow wicket and outfield, it felt as though there were not enough runs on the board.

Guildford mixed up the batting order a bit, with Luke Smith opening with Max Towers. An early wicket fell with the ball played onto the stumps, before Morgan Barnes struck 3 sweet early fours (14 runs off 9 balls, 3x fours, Strike Rate: 156). Weybridge had only managed 7x boundaries is their innings - hence it was an attacking start from Guildford.

Another clean bowled wicket from Weybridge's opening pace bowler, followed by a good spin bowler pairing, saw the required run rate creep up. However the game totally swung in Guildford's favour when Adam Thomas came to the crease batting at number 5.

A good partnership ensued with Alex Challinor - however it was the majestic ball striking of Adam Thomas which stole the show. The spinners who had kept things tight were now being smacked for a couple of sixes and even the returning opening bowler couldn't stem the flow.

Alex Challinor notched up 18 runs (including 2x fours). At the other end Adam Thomas reached his half century in no time.

In the 18th over, Adam Thomas smashed another big 6 into the stream, with what turned out to be the final ball of the match. He closed on 58 runs not out (off 29 balls, 5x fours, 3x sixes, Strike Rate: 200!).

Guildford's U15s won by 6 wickets, with over 12 overs to spare.

Man of the Match: Adam Thomas