Claygate vs Epsom

Encouraging First Performance

Our first U13 game of the season was played in bright sunshine on Claygate’s astro wicket. Ed, as captain, lost the toss and Claygate opted to bat first.

Claygate’s opening pair started slowly but solidly and it took a fantastic slip catch at head level from Hadi and bowled by Joe, on his return to Epsom, to remove their number 2. Fin and Tom then chipped in with a wicket apiece (both bowled) but with Claygate’s other opener retiring on 30 (league rules) and an increased run rate as the innings progressed, Claygate were able to post 145-3. Extras top scored with 60, of which 34 were wides and 16 byes/leg byes. That doesn’t really do our bowling justice as some wides ended up running for 4 (meaning 6 wides scored) and some amendments to field placings will help stem the byes in particular. Shoutout to Hadi, Luke and Joe who all went for less than 10 runs in their 2 overs.

Joe and Fin then opened the batting and both got to 17 before they were out, Fin to an unfortunate caught behind. Ed was unable to build on his 47 at school in a midweek match and no other batsman made it into double figures. However, what was extremely positive was a much better awareness by all batsmen at the batting crease, no silly run outs, good calling and a more mature batting performance than previous years. Epsom ended up with 104-9 and batted out their 20 overs.

So, a loss by 41 runs but actually 2 well matched teams.

Things to work on:

- Field placings : always have fine leg and third man, on the boundary (to save the byes and wides which make it past the keeper);
- Bowling : focus on reducing wides and no balls;
- Batting : put in place a plan to chase down the runs, with targets for where to be after 5/10/15 overs.