Guildford CC U13s vs Reigate Priory CC U13s (SJIL)

On the morning of England’s World Cup final versus New Zealand, Guildford’s U13s woke up to rain showers, however the forecast suggested it would clear, and the groundsman gave the thumbs up for the game to be played on the main square at Woodbridge Road against Reigate Priory in the SJIL league.

Both sides were missing 2 players on duty for Surrey against Kent, and it was likely to be a tight game given the relative strengths of both sides.

Reigate Priory won the toss, and despite the drizzle and cloud cover decided to bat – which seemed an interesting call.

This match was reduced to 20 overs per side – bowled in blocks of 5 overs – to accommodate the World Cup Final.

Guildford opened the bowling with Milo Roe and Jacob Audley – from the railway end. Both players looked fired up, and Milo Roe started exceptionally, conceding just 1 run in his first two overs.

Kieran Finnegan and James Mundy were next up, followed by Cameron Sim and Freddy Scott-Gall. Most of the bowling from these players was pretty accurate, with few wides and no-balls conceded. However Reigate Priory’s opening pair batted themselves in and soon started to up the run rate.

11 overs passed and no wickets had fallen – until a double scalp from Guildford’s captain and birthday boy, James Mundy. Firstly a great catch by Milo Roe running back on the turn, and then by James Mundy himself with a sweet caught and bowled.

Most of the fielding was improved this week, with players putting themselves on the line and some great sliding stops to prevent a couple of certain boundaries.

George Thompson and Max Dyer were brought into the attack late on – however with wickets in hand it was tough in the last overs, with 5 of the last 7 overs going for 10 runs or more, on a short 35 yard boundary.

Cameron Sim and Milo Roe had the tough task of closing out the innings.

Milo Roe was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 4-1-17-0.

At the end of the innings, a run out was secured. 148 runs for 3 wickets off 20 overs was a good score – however the small pitch and 20 over format gave Guildford hope.

After tea, and watching the first over of the World Cup Final, Guildford opened the batting with the right hand, left hand combination of Milo Roe and Jacob Audley. Reigate Priory’s opener bowled very accurately and Jacob Audley was unlucky to be on the end of an in swinging Yorker in the third over.

George Thompson – in form from a half century on Friday night – batted at 3, and looked comfortable early on, until a diving catch and roll near the boundary rope was deemed to have stayed on the field.

A good partnership followed with James Mundy batting at 4, until a tight two runs attempt resulted in Milo Roe being run out just short his crease. Milo Roe had smashed a quickfire 34 runs (off just 19 balls, including 2 sixes and 5 fours). Another classy innings from a player consistently in form.

The key batting pairing was Freddy Scott-Gall and James Mundy – who went on to add an impressive 70 runs. In this time, James Mundy managed to blast 6, 6, 4 in 3 consecutive balls; and Freddy Scott-Gall guided 4 well taken fours, over the boundary rope.

An injury struck Reigate Priory’s keeper, and in a twist of fortune, James Mundy (40 runs off just 28 balls) and Freddy Scot-Gall (23 runs off 26 balls) would then fall caught behind to the replacement keeper.

Kieran Finnegan edged away an early four, and William Lacey was then on the end of a good ball which took out his off stump. Dulain Jayakody was also bowled early on.

With the pressure on the lower order, Kieran Finnegan struck out a couple of early boundaries, before being caught at deep extra cover for 15 runs (off 8 balls).

The gauntlet was thrown down to Cameron Sim and Tristan Mendis – batting at 9 and 10 – to try to get the 11 runs required in last few overs. Cameron Sim drove a lovely four evading the tight field, before a maiden over was secured by excellent death bowling.

3 runs required to win off the final over – with Cameron Sim at the crease. Reigate Priory’s field tried to put the pressure on, however a ball in the slot was dealt with, in no uncertain terms, coming out of the middle for a beautiful six to take Guildford over the line with 5 balls to spare. 13 not out (off 10 balls) and the key winning strike secured Cameron Sim the match ball.

It was another great game at Woodbridge Road played in excellent spirit, teeing up the afternoon for more excitement from Stokes, Archer and the England team.