U-11 Friendly Match v Wanstead 3/8/08 (WON by 33 runs)

North Middlesex U-11s (109-4) beat Wanstead (76-9) by 33 runs

After the disappointment of Thursday's Cup defeat, it was good to get a final win before most of the squad depart on holiday. This game went ahead on the artificial pitch at North Midd and was completed in fairly constant rain so well done to both sides for keeping going in the wet.

The result of this game was never really in doubt. Despite captain Max being run out in the first over (the result of over-enthusiastic calling from the coaches and a fine throw from the outfield), North Midd's total kept ticking over. Wanstead gave everyone on their team a chance to bowl with the result a whopping 51 in wides and no-balls. This meant it was difficult for the home batsmen to get into any kind of rhythm – Joe was retired on 10 and Kristian on nine but it was hard to develop any fluency. Douglas top-scored with a fairly rapid 17 towards the end before being run out on the very last ball.

Joseph opened the bowling after a late call-up when Isher was injured in the pre-match warm-up (thankfully he's fine and is looking forward to training next Saturday). And he took a wicket with his third bowl – clean bowled. Not to be outdone, older brother Matthew took an excellent caught and bowled in the next over to leave Wanstead on one for two. There was no real threat after that and wickets were to follow fairly regularly from then on – Conrad taking three (including two in two) along with Joe, Krishan, Ethan and another for Joseph. Max took a smart stumping and there was a good catch from Krishan after Jospeh had gallantly "pushed" the ball towards him.

That's it for the scheduled matches for the U-11s. There may be another couple of ad hoc friendlies towards the end of the month/start of September which we'll keep you informed about nearer the time. Training will continue on Saturday mornings for the rest of the month.

U-11 Middlesex League Knockout - First Round - Teddington beat North Middlesex by two runs

Teddington 147-6 beat North Middlesex 145-4 by two runs

What was that about always winning last-ball deciders? Sadly for North Midd, our record came to an end in an enthralling cup-tie against Teddington when we could only scramble two off the last ball to fall just short. Great credit should go to both teams for a terrific contest with the North Midd honours going to Matthew who produced a superb - and almost match-winning - 73.

Overcast, muggy and with light rain falling these were unusual conditions for a July evening in North London. It was also unusual to find our opening bowlers Callum, Sean and Ethan - normally so potent and economical - being dispatched all round the ground. After we'd won the toss and put them in, Teddington's openers glided to 44 without loss after five overs. Sean was unlucky not to claim a wicket when a relatively simple chance was dropped but that was about it. Douglas' medium pace put a bit of a block on the scoring and the first wicket fell during his second over - Matthew on his toes to run out one of the openers when the score had reached 68.

Then enter Krishan. His first over really helped to put us back in the game when he clean-bowled two batsmen - far and away the best six-ball spell of the night. At 82-3 at the halfway stage though, Teddington were still in excellent shape to post a high score. But it was a night for the slower bowlers to shine: Julius' three overs cost just thirteen and yielded one wicket and Joe bowled two overs for ten. Teddington slowed to 119 for five after 17 overs. Krishan took his third wicket of the night - an excellent stumping by Matthew - and we were back in the game. Unfortunately for us, the last three overs produced a further 28 runs, leaving us to face a challenging target of 148 for victory.

To win would mean getting our highest score of the season and we knew we'd need a couple of major contributions from the top order batsmen to do it. We certainly got the latter. After Callum had been bowled for five to leave us on 18-1, Sean joined Matthew at the wicket. There then followed an exhilarating partnership of 94 which seemed to have turned the game for us. The boys ran intelligently and aggressively and pushed the score ahead of the required run-rate. Matthew stroked the ball all round the ground - offside and onside - in a chanceless innings. He's had this kind of innings in him all season and it was a delight to watch. Sean too played a key role, admittedly riding his luck on a couple of occasions, but punishing anything vaguely hittable. He belted a six and four fours on his way to 34 before being bowled by the Teddington spinner at the end of the fourteenth over. By then we were 112 for two, ahead of where Teddington had been, and needing 36 runs off the last six overs.

Douglas came into join Matthew and was quickly into his stride. But with Teddington's slower bowlers putting a brake on the scoring and the light getting darker and gloomier, the runs started to dry up. Ones and twos continued as the boys continued to see the ball well but Matthew's huge six was the only boundary in the last seven overs.

With two overs to go, we were 134 for two, needing fourteen for victory. Off the first ball, Matthew was bowled. Max came in to join Douglas but only three runs followed.

Eleven needed off the last over. The first ball to Max was a dot. He and Douglas scampered a single off the second but it was boundaries we needed. The third went for a single as well and we now needed nine off three. Max got a single and it was eight off two. But the penultimate ball was a beamer which struck Douglas on the grill of his helmet and knocked him over. A no-ball, two runs and six now needed off two. The batsmen looked for two off the next ball but Max was run out and so Douglas faced the last ball, knowing that six would bring us victory and four would tie the scores. He struck it well but wasn't able to find the boundary and only two runs resulted. Victory was Teddington's.

This was a really excellent advert for U-11 cricket. If there are lessons for us it's probably back to the basics of fielding. Teddington won this game because their outfield performance was generally sharper, tidier and more alert than ours. They really wanted to get to the ball and get it back quickly; too many times some of our boys seemed to be running around it rather than attacking it, giving the Teddington batsmen the chance of two runs rather than just one. It's great to have batsmen who can make big scores and bowlers who can take wickets at key times but if the fielding isn't as good as it could be, we're undoing a lot of the good work.

Report: Roddy McDougall

U11 Friendly Match v Edmonton 27/7/08 (WON by one run)

North Middlesex U-11s (90 all out) beat Edmonton (89-8) by one run

For the fifth time this season, NMCC U-11s took part in a last ball decider. And for the fifth time time they came out on top. The victory owed a lot to several things: a spirited performance in the field, some steady accurate bowling and the generosity of the home team who gave each of their bowlers two overs - with varying success - which yielded 33 wides.

At several stages North Midd were struggling. Our first four wickets were lost for just five runs. Douglas (11) and Kristian (6) steadied things but, when we were 30 for seven, an early lunch seemed likely. Edmonton's second-tier bowlers then started to lose line and length and the wides started to pile up. Julius (14) and a confident Krishan (10 not out) also took advantage to see us through to a far more respectable total - 90 - than had seemed likely at one stage.

In response, North Midd, led by captain Sean, put the pressure on Edmonton from the start. Sean and Krishan both took early wickets (both clean bowled) to leave them on three for two. A recovery of sorts followed but North Midd continued to bowl tidily (Conrad particularly). Douglas came on to take two key wickets (both bowled) and Julius kept up his record of taking a wicket with his first ball. But with four overs left, Edmonton were favourites at 78 for five. Sean and Douglas came back on to take three quick wickets - Douglas' courtesy of an excellent catch from Oliver - and with one over remaining, Edmonton needed ten for victory. The second ball of Douglas' over was hit for a lusty six and the pendulum swung in favour of Edmonton. But Douglas held his nerve and with three needed off the last ball, Edmonton could only manage one and victory was ours. Sean finished with excellent figures of three for five off four overs with Douglas not far behind on three for 21. Mention too for some terrific glovework from Matthew who was alert throughout and, had it been a league game, would have been awarded an outstanding stumping.

Report: Roddy McDougall

U-11 friendly - July 2nd 2008 - North Middlesex beat Highgate by five wickets

Highgate 67-8 lost to North Middlesex 125-7 by five wickets (North Middlesex reached 71-5 in the thirteenth over but batted through to the full 20 overs)

North Middlesex eased to victory against Highgate after a much better performance with the ball than in last Friday's friendly at Hornsey. Seven of the eight wickets to fall were clean bowled - proof of our bowlers' ability to keep it straight on the night. All ten outfield players got the chance to bowl with Akash and Kai both taking two wickets with one each for Julius, Krishan and Sean. Krishan also made a fantastic run out with a direct throw to the stumps from square leg.

68 may have looked an easy target to get at the start but it didn't look that way after Highgate's opening two bowlers had reduced us to one for three with, again, three clean bowled wickets. Joe and Krishan steadied the ship - with Joe making his highest score of the season, 17 not out. Charlie (10) and Akash (9) also kept us ticking along before Miles stroked the winning runs to the boundary. Sean (18 not out) and Matthew (13 not out) improved their averages with Highgate sportingly bowling to the end of the allotted 20 overs despite the fact the game had been lost.

Report: Roddy McDougall

U-11s friendly match v Hornsey 27/6/08 LOST by 55 runs

Hornsey U-11s (152-5) beat North Middlesex (97 all out) by 55 runs

No doubt where this late-notice friendly against Hornsey was lost – a staggering 59 were given away in extras including 38 wides and 12 no balls. And with the home side showing good form with the bat, their total was always going to be hard to beat for a mixed U-11 team, which featured Luke and Alex from the U-10s.

The shortest boundary of the season greeted us at Hornsey's Hurst Avenue ground and that certainly explains some of the expensive bowling figures. But too often our line and length wasn't good enough. Luke was the only bowler to take any wickets – two for twenty-five in his four overs.

Hal and Luke opened and, after three overs, we weren't too far behind the run rate at 17 for no wicket. But then Hornsey's bowlers started to pin us down and it became a matter of making the score respectable rather than chasing victory. Oliver top-scored with 12 in his first game for us; Douglas came in at the end and scored a quick 11 before playing on but Hal and Kai (both on 10) were the only other batsmen to reach double figures.

Credit to the boys for keeping going but we can't afford to gift the opposition so many free runs and hope to win.

Report: Roddy McDougall

U11 league match v Brondesbury 26/06/08 LOST by 3 wkts

In a thrilling match which went down to the last ball of the penultimate over, North Midd lost for the first time this season in the league by three wickets to a very strong Brondesbury team. This is the second defeat at their ground in a month, and one which is particularly disappointing given the target set.

Matthew won the toss and decided to bat, which proved to be an excellent decision. After a couple of overs of forward defensives, both Matthew and Callum started to pick out the gaps in Brondesbury's fielding and quickly got some strong momentum going. Giving away few chances, and calling and running intelligently between the stumps, the pair scored an outstanding first wicket partnership of 111. The superstitious will note the significance of the score at the fall of the first wicket, Callum being bowled for 44. Miles joined Matthew and quickly got runs on the board, helping to keep up the strong run rate. Matthew eventually fell for 41, batting for 17 of the 20 overs. Douglas came in and was unlucky to be caught behind first ball by the Brondesbury keeper, but Miles ended up with a creditable 11 not out. The final North Midd total was 134 for 3 off 20 overs, setting Brondesbury a run rate to win of 6.75 per over. 

After the break, Ethan started with a maiden, and Callum was also parsimonious. Brondesbury found it very hard to get going, quickly falling behind the required run rate with only 24 runs scored off the first six overs. However the first wicket didn't fall until the last ball of the seventh over (Ethan's last ball) when Matt took an excellent catch at backward square leg. The new batsman quickly found his stride and together with the remaining opener, started to expose North Midd's fielding weaknesses. The runs were coming that much easier and they were starting to take more chances. Sean then came on and in his second over suddenly halted the Brondesbury momentum, taking two consecutive wickets. The first was a fine catch by Matthew at mid off, the second clean bowling the new batsman. Then the very next ball we witnessed a brilliant piece of fielding by Douglas at square leg, throwing with a direct hit, running out the non-striking opening batsman who had strayed too far down the wicket looking for a quick single. A 'team hatrick'. Suddenly Brondesbury were 59 for 4. 

From then on, thought, it was all downhill for North Midd. All credit must go to Brondesbury's number five, Sam, who batted magnificently, including seven 4's, and quickly got the run rate back up to the required level. Matt came on and took a wicket with his first ball, and followed this up a couple of overs later with another excellent ball that knocked over middle stump. But their number five continued to find the gaps and benefitted from the increasingly ragged fielding. With seven needed off the penultimate over, bowled by Eddie, a quick piece of fielding resulted in a good run out on the second ball, but it was to no avail as the winning runs were scored off the last ball. 

Perhaps in the minds of the team, the game had already been won in the interval, as, sadly, the discipline which the team has shown in the field over the past few weeks deserted them. There was some sloppy fielding, poor backing up and walking in, not enough listening to the Captain's fielding instructions, and bowling which lacked consistency. However it is only the first defeat of the season in the league, and with only a few games remaining, ending the season in top spot is still attainable.

Match report: Nick Hodgson

U-11s friendly match v Wanstead 27/6/08 WON by one run

North Middlesex U-11s (101-8) beat Wanstead (100-5) by one run

Yet another tight finish for the boys in this friendly at sunny Wanstead. The home side needed six off the last two balls and when they got four off the first, defeat was on the cards. But Sean then bowled a dot ball to give us victory by just a single run.

North Midd's innings wasn't one of our most memorable of the season. Callum top-scored with 16 and Conrad was the only other batsman into double figures on 10 not out. A few of our players need to think a little bit more before blasting away and getting out. Just over half our total – 51 – came courtesy of extras as Wanstead took the opportunity to give every one of their team a chance to bowl.

Oscar (two wickets for no runs in two overs) was probably the pick of the North Midd bowlers with Conrad, Krishan and John, in his first match for us, all taking a wicket each.

Report: Roddy McDougall

U-11 League Match v Islington 18/6/08 (WON by four runs)

North Middlesex U-11s (65 all out) beat Islington (61-8) by four runs

Give this U-11 squad credit, when it comes right down to the wire, they're proving to be experts at coming out on top. Not many people would have given North Midd much of a chance after Islington dismissed us for just 65. They were, after all, coming off an impressive Cup win over a strong Potters Bar side. But some splendid bowling from our opening quartet, whose 16 overs cost just 28 runs, saw us squeeze through. 

Missing several boys from Hereward House who were away in France (hopefully sunnier than chilly and windy Islington), this was nevertheless still a strong team with Charlie and Julius making their league debuts. Islington won the toss and put us in on a pitch which very quickly looked in need of a trim on the outfield. Miles departed early, hooking out to deep fine leg but with Matthew batting sensibly and confidently and Sean finding the boundary with ease (a six and two fours) we looked well set. And then, as happened against Islington before, we collapsed - from 37 for one to 43 for 7. Matthew was bowled for 16, Douglas (not for the first time this summer) holed out to silly mid off, Sean (16) was caught and bowled off a full toss, Matt was bowled, Joe fell lbw and Ethan was needlessly run out on a run that was never there.

Thankfully Julius managed to steady things with a hugely important 15 which included two fours and, when he was last man out, we'd managed to get to 65.

The team talk between innings focused on tight and accurate bowling along with concentration in the field and backing up. We know Islington like to run for almost anything and so it proved. Sean and Ethan bowled great line and length and the Islington openers went about their run chase as if it were the last over of a 20/20. Unfortunately, the three run out opportunities they gave us were squandered by some less than impressive fielding.

But when Islington's opener Sasha had to retire hurt with a twisted ankle for five, the mood changed. Sean bowled their other opener with a cracking delivery and then Ethan was on his toes to run out their number three. Nine for two after five overs - there was a glimmer of hope. Matthew and Douglas kept the good bowling going - Matthew taking two wickets for six runs in his spell and Douglas chipping in with his best bowling performance, three for six including a vital caught and bowled to see off the returning Sasha. They were indebted to Miles behind the stumps who produced two cracking catches to dismiss the batsmen. The result of all this was that Islington were 20 for seven off 12 overs. Their parents thought it was all over. I wasn't so sure......

Two overs later, it was 41 for seven as one of the Islington batsman started to find the boundary. Our opening bowlers came back on to steady the ship - Miles produced a stunning stumping off Ethan's bowling to break the stubborn eighth wicket partnership. And Douglas bowled a maiden in the 18th to slow Islington's progress further.

Two overs to go and sixteen runs needed for Islington to win. Matt shrugged off a couple of wides and the nineteenth went for just six. Krishan bravely took the 20th over. With four balls left, Islington needed eight. Then it was six off the last ball and, despite a lusty blow, only one run resulted and the win was North Midd's.

Great character and good bowling discipline won this one. Amazingly it could have been even easier if we'd been sharper in the field - with at least five good run out opportunities not being taken. But it's another win, our fifth out of five in the league, which keeps us firmly at the top of the table.

Report: Roddy McDougall

U-11s League match v North London 12/6/08 (WON by 58 runs)

North Middlesex U-11s 140-4 beat North London 82-7

What a difference three days can make. On Monday we’d been ragged, under-par and thoroughly beaten. Tonight, led by a classy 57 from Callum, we batted intelligently and with confidence. In the field, our performance was hard to fault; three superb catches (one a firm contender for North Middlesex catch of the year at ANY level), two terrific throws to run batsmen out and a general willingness to back up, walk in and do all the basics which all successful teams need to do to win. Setting North London a target of 141 was always going to be hard for them and when they’d only reached nine for three off nine overs, there was no doubt about the outcome.With our first league match against the old rivals falling victim to the rain, we certainly didn’t want this one cancelled so anxious looks were had at the dark clouds over North London. North Midd won the toss and chose to bat. Matthew C got a good ball and departed early but Callum and Sean put together a second wicket partnership of 45. Callum was in terrific form, finding gaps in the outfield and stroking some exquisite off-drives to the boundary. Sean was caught for 12 and Miles played on for 7 but Callum was still there and thoroughly deserved his 50 – our first of the season. He was finally bowled for 57, which included 11 fours.

Douglas and Max then saw us through to the end with an assured partnership of 42. Douglas, running into some welcome form with the bat this week, hit four fours in his 20 not out and Max was unbeaten on 14.

North London struggled in their reply with Callum, Sean and Ethan bowling very accurately. Sean bowled one of their openers for the first wicket with Ethan hitting the stumps with a great throw to get the second. Then Krishan showed exceptional reflexes to take an outstanding catch at backward point from a slashed off-drive which was travelling very quickly towards him. Even although the game was won, the high standards we’d set in the field continued with Callum throwing a runner out from square leg with only one stump to aim for – a magnificent bit of fielding. But then Eddie did even better to produce a truly stunning one-handed catch low down to his right deep in the outfield. If there is a better catch by a North Midd player throughout this season it’ll be some catch indeed.

Two more wickets followed – another catch for Eddie off Matt’s bowling (straightforward this time) and one for Ethan off Hal’s (tricky) – and the game was over. Every player contributed to this win and it was great to see all the boys responding to the team talk after the Brondesbury defeat. We’re still undefeated in the league and top of our pool and that’s where we want to be at the end.

Report: Roddy McDougall

Photo : Nick Hodgson

U-11s Friendly v Winchmore Hill 10/6/08 (LOST by thirteen runs)

Winchmore Hill 84 all out beat North Middlesex 71 all out

In a busy week for the U-11s, this was a good opportunity to give other players a much-needed game after three recent friendly matches had been rained off. So it was two mixed teams who faced each other at a sunny Paulin Ground with Winchmore Hill just easing through despite a spirited run-chase at the end by Miles in particular.

Most of the highlights for North Midd were in the bowling. After the home openers had moved easily to 32 for no wicket, Kai came on to bowl. Winchmore Hill couldn't cope with his particular brand of spin and he took a hat-trick in a most impressive spell.

If that wasn't enough, Charlie B, in his first game for us, also took a hat-trick in his second over, bowling straight at the Winchmore Hill tail-enders. Given some players go through their whole careers never taking a hat-trick, for two of our new players to do so in one match was terrific.

This helped to reduce Winchmore Hill to 55-7 but with their retired openers coming back, they managed to get to 84 before Kai snapped up another couple of wickets in his final over. He ended with figures of five for five from 3.4 overs as well as a catch in the outfield - an excellent performance.

In contrast, North Midd found scoring runs early on quite difficult. Retiring players after four overs to give everyone a chance to bat clearly didn't help our rhythm but too many of our players weren't able to deal with straight balls or keep the score ticking over.

After 16 overs we were only 48 for eight, but with Miles and Douglas back in after retiring earlier, the runs started to come more quickly, Miles in particular hitting intelligently to the gaps in the field. But when Douglas was bowled for 11, trying to swing for the boundary, it was left to Miles and Kai as a last pair to see us home. Miles did his best, finishing on 25 not out, but Kai was run out in the 19th over and we fell thirteen runs short.

Report: Roddy McDougall

U-11s Cup match v Brondesbury 9/6/08 (LOST by nine wickets)

North Middlesex U-11s 108 all out lost to Brondesbury 110-1

Funny game cricket. Less than a month ago we faced this same Brondesbury team in a league match and beat them easily. This time around it was their turn to give us a tonking with a nine-wicket victory, built around a sublime opening stand of 84. Even partisan North Midd parents had to applaud the best batting we've seen this season as the opening pair stroked the ball around and made our attack look very ordinary indeed.

North Midd won the toss and chose to bat on Brondesbury's all-weather wicket. Matthew and Callum began briskly and, with a relatively fast outfield, there was no problem keeping the scoreboard ticking along. The problem was that we lost wickets fairly regularly as well: Callum was run out amidst call confusion for six and Sean was caught and bowled after hitting two boundaries.

Matthew was still there though anchoring the innings and when Miles came in, they looked set for a big partnership. But Miles was caught for a swift 15 after looking in good form and when Max was out an over later, a mid-order wobble was on the cards. Douglas came in to steady the ship with Matthew and with 64 on the board after ten overs, we were looking at a score in the region of 130. But Matthew was caught for 24 and when Douglas was run out for 14 in the 15th over, the North Midd momentum fell away. Hal and Kai managed a few more runs but with only ten added in the last four overs, we ended on 108 all out - still a decent score and one we felt we'd be able to defend.

The home openers had other ideas though and after a quiet couple of overs they began to attack our bowlers, dispatching them to the boundary with, for us, alarming regularity. With no wickets taken and the home side easing towards our target, North Midd heads began to drop and discipline went too with players challenging or disregarding the captain's field placings. This is not something we want to see again. Brondesbury also benefited from several overthrows and, while they would have won anyway, we did ourselves no favours with a sloppy performance in the field.

Our only success came when Sean managed to get one of the openers to hole out to Matthew but, by then, victory was in sight for Brondesbury and it came after 15.3 overs.

A lengthy post-mortem followed, focusing on field discipline and how it needs to improve in time for Thursday's crucial league game against North London. We're still unbeaten and top of the league but need to play much better than we did last night if we're to stay there. We have a good squad with excellent players but they need to play as a team.

Report: Roddy McDougall

U11 League Match v Hampstead 1/6/08 (WON by three runs)

North Middlesex U-11s (90 all out) beat Hampstead (87-7) by three runs

This team seem to enjoy the thrill of tense last ball deciders. For the second league match out of three, the visitors needed four off the last ball to win. But North Midd once again held their nerve and secured the league points. This was an excellent game of cricket with both teams favourites to win at different stages and great credit should go to all 22 boys for a terrific match.

North Midd lost the toss and Hampstead made the right decision to put us in on a heavy pitch made wetter by overnight showers. Tarun was probably a little dubious about letting us play on it but with league points at stake, we wanted to go ahead. Matthew C and Callum made steady progress against good opening bowlers, reaching 44 at the halfway stage with controlled and sensible batting. Just as they were ready to up the tempo, Callum was bowled for a good 18 and that led to a middle order collapse with another five wickets tumbling for just 13 runs to leave us struggling at 57 for six.

Luckily Max came to the rescue with his best batting performance of the season. He scored 17 priceless runs before being last man out in the 20th over. He received good support from Hal and Dariush who both scored five.

Ninety runs, even on a drying pitch, looked a decent total in the end. And that was what we thought after nine overs when Hampstead had made just 17 for the loss of three wickets. Sean, Callum, Hal and Oscar had all bowled well (with no wides or no balls) and the visitors looked in trouble with 74 needed off 11 overs. But then their number five batsman Sam started to get hold of our bowling - signalling his intent with a huge six off Oscar. Another six and three fours followed in his eventual total of 46. Thirty-one runs were needed with three overs to go but this fell to fifteen off two after the expensive eighteenth. Hal came back to bowl the 19th and got Sam's crucial wicket with Matthew making an excellent stumping.

Eleven runs were needed off the last over and when the first ball went for four we feared the worst. But Douglas kept his nerve and only conceded three more runs while Matt Starr held our first catch of the day as three wickets - two of them run outs - followed in the mayhem of the final over.

Credit to the boys for keeping calm and disciplined and for overcoming the disadvantage of batting first on a heavy pitch. Only six runs were given away in wides and just one no ball which is better than it's been.

Areas to improve: at least three very catchable catches were spilled; not enough walking in (which could have brought two more catches) is being done; concentration at all time's needed in the field; and we were back to giving away silly run outs with three wickets falling this way.

So a win to celebrate but work stll to be done. 

Report: Roddy McDougall

U11 Friendly Match v Primrose Hill 31/5/08 (LOST by seven wickets)

North Middlesex U-11s (48 all out) lost to Primrose Hill (51-3) by seven wickets

No doubt about it, this was a comprehensive thumping at the hands of a stronger Primrose Hill eleven at Canon's Park. Half-term holidays certainly affected the North Midd line-up but it's clear that Primrose Hill are already a force to be reckoned with at this age group. A match between the team's respective "first" XI's would be well worth watching.

There were a few positives for us from this game: Kai made a terrific 25 which included five fours and saved us from a far more embarrassing total. The next highest score was just 2. And Ethan took three wickets during four overs of excellent fast bowling which at least made the margin of victory a little more respectable. The boys also ran decently between wickets (when the occasion allowed) and also backed up in the field well although restricting this Primrose Hill team to less than 48 was always going to be a tough ask.

On the negative side, a bit more attention needs to be paid to the forward defensive shot. With this intended to be a 35 over aside match, there was ample time to play yourself in and wait for the bad ball. Too often, we were beaten by the straight ball when a defensive shot might have safeguarded the wicket with the result that we were skittled out after just 17.3 overs. And, for the bowlers, there was a lesson in maintaining line and length against a better quality of batsman than we've so far come up against in the league. Loose balls tend to be sent to the boundary as they were here as the home side scampered to victory after just 8.1 overs.

Report: Roddy McDougall

U-11s friendly match v Primrose Hill (A) 16/5/08: lost by six wickets

A first defeat for the U-11s but this was an experimental line-up, with several boys playing their first match for North Midd. In addition it was an extremely "friendly" friendly with Joe generously volunteering to play for the opposition to make up the numbers and Primrose Hill, equally generously, allowing us to play the whole game with twelve players.

On a day where play had been halted for bad light just down the road at Lord's, it was amazing we got a full game in at all. By the end, it was teeth-chatteringly cold and that may have explained some less than impressive form in the field in the field where the boys put down four catches which certainly contributed to the home team's win.

North Midd batted first, and with players retiring after three overs to give everyone a chance to bat, it was hard to get any real rhythm going. Matthew (9), Douglas (9) and Sean (10) were the top scorers - Matthew and Douglas coming in for the final overs after being retired and Sean unlucky to be run out when he looked in the mood. There was also a first four for Dariush on his debut, along with an encouraging 6 for Oscar, also making his first appearance. Eddie stuck around against some good bowling at the end for 3. Max and Julius were both well caught by the same Primrose Hill fielder. We should also say that the most impressive bowling figures for the opposition were from our own Joe who took two wickets for one run along with the game's only maiden in his two overs. At the end, we'd made 87, with 32 of those coming in wides and no balls.

Primrose Hill, aided by those vital dropped catches, reached their target with two and a half overs to go and with six wickets in hand. North Midd gave almost everyone a chance to bowl: Max, Oscar and Kai all took one wicket each and Sean, Matthew and Eddie bowled well without reward.

Report: Roddy McDougall

North Middlesex U-11 (120-6) beat Brondesbury (43 all out) by 77 runs

The end of a busy week for the U-11s and a third successive home victory - this one by a comfortable margin over Brondesbury. There are several good things to report about the team this early in the season:  the improvement we're seeing from game to game; the fact that different players are taking on the mantle of making a big score; and the impressive depth of bowling in the side.

This time it was Sean who took the batting honours with an agressive 43 which included six fours on a quicker outfield. He was supported by Miles, Douglas, Max and Joe who all made it into double figures to keep the scoreboard moving along. 120 for 6 after twenty overs was our highest to date and was always going to be a challenge for Brondesbury to beat.

They started well and were actually up with the run rate until the fifth over. By then though, Callum had struck by taking two wickets with excellent balls which got through the batsmen's defences. Brondesbury's dangerous opening batsmen fell caught behind to Miles off Sean's bowling in the eighth over and after that there was never any doubt who was going to win.

Krishan took three wickets for just one in an excellent, controlled and accurate bowling display and Ethan, making his first appearance for the U-11s, bowled well without reward. But he did make an excellent throw to run one of the Brondesbury batsmen out, following on from Callum who'd done the same a few overs earlier. Max and Conrad also took a wicket each and Douglas was unlucky not to get his first wickets of the season in his two overs.

An excellent team performance with all eleven players on their toes and keen to support and win. We'll be giving some of the other players a chance to shine in next Friday's friendly at Primrose Hill before we go back to league business against Highgate next Sunday.

Match Report : Roddy McDougall

North Middlesex U-11 (106-6) beat Barnet U-11 (39-9) by 67 runs

After the last ball excitement of Monday's victory over Islington, North Midd were never in any danger of losing this Cup game. Miles was the hero with the bat with an excellent 35 which took him into the twentieth over before he was run out - one of three wickets to fall in the scampering last over pursuit of a higher total.

Miles'  total was made up of ones and twos and his running between wickets and calling was excellent, putting pressure on Barnet from the very first ball. Boundaries were at a premium in the heavy outfield with only Sean and Douglas managing fours. Barnet gave nine of their team the opportunity to bowl but this backfired somewhat with a total of 29 given away in wides and no balls.

North Midd had Barnet on the defensive from the start of their innings and with six overs gone they'd only managed six for two. This pattern continued for the twenty overs with just 12 runs coming from the bat; North Midd giving away 25 in wides and no balls to boost the total. Amongst the bowlers, Max was the star with three wickets for just two runs in his three overs; Sean picked up two clean bowled in his one over, while there were also wickets for Hal, Joe, Liam and Callum. Good to see Joe back after his broken arm and also good to see Matthew S back to form with his bowling as well.

Generally the bowling, fielding and running between wickets was much improved on Monday and we'll be looking to take that forward into Sunday's league game against Brondesbury which is likely to be tougher than last night.

Match Report : Roddy McDougall