U15s progress to final of Middlesex U15 Cup

Our biggest match to date… playing Enfield’s Holtwhites Trinibis in the semi-final of the Middlesex U15 Cup got underway in beautiful conditions at the Mid. The wicket looked like a road, the outfield fast and dry and Sacha was delighted to finally win the toss and elect to bat.
He then very generously gave his wicket away quite early to allow others to have a bat which brought an in-form Danny to join an in-form Jay at the crease. Due to Cup rules, they were both required to retire when they reached 50, which was lovely to see – Jay particularly adept at finding the gap and cutting prodigiously, Danny played some beautiful drives in particular.

The rest of the team did exactly what was required of them, rotating the strike and playing aggressively. Whilst Edward was unlucky to be out for 0, Jasper for 13 and Linus (a late but very able replacement) for 2 they all played excellently for the team. Star of this phase was George Domleo who hit a series of 4s to keep the strike rate up and finished on 28 n.o. from 15 balls. Alfie got a bat and even Jack thought he might have his first bat of the season, but Mingus contributed to the fine strike rate, finishing 12n.o. off 6 balls including the most colossal six. These fine contributions helped us to reach exactly 200-5 off 20 overs, a brilliant batting performance. (This was not the last ball lost in this match which required 6 match balls in total).

It was probably a game of two halves – our fielding and bowling performance not up to our usual standards – despite fine opening spells from Mingus and Jack in particular.

It was the key (and joint players of the match) players of Danny and Jay that picked up the wickets again, Danny taking 3-15 and Jay 2-22 despite feeling really unwell throughout. We should mention a fine stumping from Edward, a good catch from George and a fine dot ball from Linus finishing Sacha’s over. The over rate was atrocious and the spinners took us home after 9pm in failing light. But despite the opposition captain Freddie Sheehan’s fine knock of 61 (he retired and then came back in again when all the other wickets had fallen) they were never able to keep up with the run rate and in the end we were happy to claim the victory.

Some great things to take away, and some things to improve on before we face…. Ealing or Indian Gymkhana in the final.