A good weekend for English cricket, with a winning start to the Ashes
and cricket grounds bathed in sunshine. Now, if only Fred could win the toss so
we didn't have to field first in it.....
Last week the U-11 Outlaws continued their unbeaten with another
comprehensive victory, this time against Bradford Abbas. Batting first they kept
the scoreboard ticking along with some stylish hitting combined and intelligent
running between the wickets, ending on 324-2 with Luke McLaughlin (32) top
scoring, supported by Matt Longley (21). With the ball The Outlaws attack soon
started to take wickets regularly, with Bradford Abbas eventually finishing on
214-8. Kit Garnon (1-3) and Marcus Mullins (1-3) were the pick of the bowlers
supported well by Matt Crosby (2-14), William Coleman (2-12) and some really
good fielding. Star-of-the-Week could have gone to any of four players for
individual performances but Kit Garnon got the nod, with an excellent bowling
display, and for his determined fielding!!
Meanwhile, the U-11 Pirates played a well drilled Shaftesbury Cougars
team, and after a reasonable bowling effort but some abysmal fielding they faced
a mountain of a task in needing 322 to win! However, the batting display was
very encouraging with everybody switched on to running between the wickets, and
the team ended up on a very respectable 265-4. Sam Pipe top scored with 15 not
out and James Stockley also hit 15. For his all-round performance with bat and
ball, and trying to set an example in the field, Star-of-the-Week was Sam
Pipe.
At Under-13s last week, the Reds faced their toughest match - against
the Blues!! In glorious sunshine at the Park, the Blues won the toss and elected
to bat and the powerhouse top order soon set about some decent bowling from the
Reds. George Coleman, Tom Perkins, Max Nettley and Henry Chant all passed 30 to
retire as the Blues charged to 187-1. In reply the Reds were soon on the back
foot with an exceptional spell from Jasper Hodgson bowling fast and straight
taking 4-4, while Jamie Anderson-Deas also claimed 2-9. However a stubborn 49
from Star-of-the-Week allowed the Reds to battle to 83 all out.
The Under-15s played a friendly match against Kilmington, and duly
cruised to a handsome victory by 73 runs. Frank Turrill (30 no), Ollie Dowding
(20 no), Ollie Legg (15 no) and Greg Willows (17no) piled on the runs in a total
of 136-1, before everybody had a bowl to see off Kilmington for 63. Ben Chandler
took 3 for 2 and Alex Moore 3 for 5, including a hat-trick - for which he was
named Star-of-the-Week.
On Saturday morning, the Under-13 Blues then travelled to Exeter CC,
the Devon county champions, for the 1st Regional Round of the ECB U13 Club
Championships. After defeating the the Dorset big town teams of
Dorchester, Bournemouth and Parley en route to winning the Dorset Cup, a trip to
take on a city proved one step too far fro the gallant Blues. Exeter batted
first and their top 3, all of whom were Devon County players, raced to 80 off
the first 10 overs before the introduction of spin put a check on the score with
George Coleman taking 3-22. Exeter went on to post a total of 129-5. The Blues
got off to a good start with Coleman and Tom Perkins (21) racing to 29 from 4
overs, but the introduction of spin again proved decisive and with some dodgy
running the Blues were eventually dismissed for 84. Despite the defeat the boys
should feel very proud of their achievements this season and will hopefully
achieve the treble of Dorset Cup, ND cup and ND league should they defeat Milton
Abbas this coming Wednesday.
On Sunday morning, the Under-9s put in another fine
display, away at Kilmington. Stalbridge batted first, with some good early
batting from Henry Meeks (11) and Hal Banfield (8), before an excellent 36 run
partnership between Harrison Sweatland (15) and Max Townsend (17no) helped post
a very competitive target of 292-5. Kilmington then replied with 234-7, and
never really looked as if they were going to threaten the stalbridge total. Hal
Banfield was the pick of the bowlers with 2-10, with Millie Forshaw &
Harrison Sweatland took 1 wicket each. Both Millie and Oliver Handibode had
excellent debuts, and for his outstanding fielding, including a direct hit,
Star-of-the-week was awarded to Oliver Handibode.
Across the age-groups last week, Stars-of-the-Week were awarded to:
Under-7s - Gilbert Jeanes & Nelson Burles
Under-9s -
Oliver Handibode
Under-11s - Kit Garnon & Sam Pipe
Under-13s - Will
Coleman
Under-15s - Alex Moore
This weekend the Seniors
managed two wins from four, so not bad!
The 1st XI secured another good win, this time away at Winton and with a
depleted line-up. Batting first the Stalbridge innings was built around a superb
knock of 121 by Stu Sweatman, with valuable runs from Jon Fryer (33no), Ian
Moore and Ollie Calcott. The side finished on 277 all out after 41 overs - a
good total but not as good as it could have been if the extra 9 overs had been
utilised. When Winton chased the bowling and fielding held firm in tough
conditions, led by 4-50 from Steve Forshaw and two wickets apiece from Ollie
Calcott, Andy Dike and Stu Sweatman. On Saturday the team host bottom of the
table Weymouth in The Park.
After losing the toss, the 2nd XI had the unenviable task of frazzling in
the field against the team that are top of the table, Cerne Valley. After a
quickfire start from the visitors, which saw them off at 6 runs per over, our
spinners started to gain some control and chip away at the wickets. Fred Chant
(3-45) and Frank Turrill (2-46) bowled well, but some sloppy fielding and
aggressive late hitting still saw Cerne put up a good total of 244-8. In reply,
we needed a very positive start but the upper order failed to establish any
momentum, and only Greg Willows (33) and Iain Lomas-Walker (16 and a fat lip!)
really got going with the bat. It was too little too late though as the team
slumped to 108 all out and a third straight defeat. A win next week at Weymouth
is needed!
The 3rd XI put in a decent away performance, but were ultimately a few runs
short of a setting what was needed for a winning total. Nonetheless, from 48 for
5 the lads did well to post competitive total of 183-7 in their 45 overs. The
innings was saved by a partnership of 85 from Neil Ford (56) and under-15 player
Ben Chandler, who notched up his first senior half-century with a fine knock of
52. Alex Moore (23no) and Julius Guthrie (11no) added useful runs at the end.
When Poole batted, the lads showed good perseverance with the ball, which
included tidy spells from Neil Ford, Hugo Middle and Alex Moore, but could only
take 4 wickets as the home side reached their target in the 42nd over. So, a
defeat, but not without it's positives!
The Sunday XI continued their season of close matches with a narrow home
win over Witchampton in The Park. Ben Fryer's knock of 90 was the highlight of
the Stalbridge innings of 218-5, while Rob Knight (38no) and Jason Forsey (23no)
put on 44 together in the last 3.3 overs!! Witchampton replied well, despite
some tight bowling from Neil Ford, and at the death from Alex Sullivan and
Cameron Rawson, but came up just short at 206-5. The Sunday XI now sit nicely in
2nd place in Division 3.
Anyway, more sunshine ahead - isn't it great (if tempted to complain, refer
to 'summer' 2012!!).
Have a good week