Another scorching week has brought some strange new feelings - that it's almost been too hot in this country for working and, strangest of all, one can almost feel pity for the Australian cricket team (second thoughts, nah!!).
As the junior cricket season draws to a close for 2013, several of our teams last week played their final league games.
In the Under-11s it was 'Derby Day' between the Pirates and the Outlaws. With the teams slightly mixed up to ensure a competitive game for all, the result was decided more on wickets lost rather than runs scored! The Pirates batted first and were restricted by some very decent bowling - straight and full - which meant that runs were hard to come by as wickets fell. Kit Garnon (9 no) top scored, while all the Outlaws bowlers performed well, notably Sam Pipe(3-0) and Billy Daniels (2-9). In reply to the Pirates total of 205-10, the Outlaws got off to a shaky start, losing 3 wickets in the first pair. However, despite some good Pirates bowling, Matt Longley, James Stockley and Cam Woodhouse steadied the ship and gradually moved on to a winning total of 244-4 for the Outlaws.
The pick of the bowlers for the Pirates was Will Collins (3-2), and he and Cam Woodhouse were named Stars-of-the-Week. This match leaves the Outlaws unbeaten at the top of the NDCA Under-11 League, with just a crunch match against Kilmington to come.
The Under-13 Blues completed their fantastic season with an emphatic win over Milton Abbas. The Blues batted first and racked up 152-4 with Henry Chant top scoring with 33no and in doing so passing the 200 runs for the season. Seb Carty (26), Joe Daniels (16), and Will Bourne (21no) all made good contributions too. In reply Milton were dismissed for 42 with 8 different bowlers all taking a wicket each! It really has been a great effort from all the Blues squad members this year, winning the North Dorset League and Cup as well as the Dorset Cup. Well done to all of the players involved and to Matt Chant, their Manager.
The Under-13 Reds' last match of the season was away to Blandford A last Tuesday. The Reds batted first and posted a comfortable total of 112-5, with Ben Woodhouse and Thomas Cairns retiring on 30 and 33 respectively. Fielding second proved to be a good decision as the temperature started to drop. The Blandford batting never really troubled the Reds bowlers with 22 being their highest score off the bat. With everyone managing to get a bowl, wickets came from Sam Yeo and Thomas Cairns, both 1-8. Some very good fielding complimented the bowling and helped to keep the total to 92-3, resulting in an excellent end to what has been a very successful season. All of the players, many of whom are Year-7s and will feature at Under-13 next year have really grown in confidence. Congratulations to them all, and their Manager Steve Yeo, on a very good season in which they finished runners-up in the League to the Blues!
Last week, Stars-of-the-Week were awarded to:
Under-7s: Alex Banwell & Dom Coleman
Under-9s: Ethan Bloy
Under-11s: Will Collins & Cam Woodhouse
After a few dodgy weeks, the seniors have shown a marked improvement recently too.
The 1st team secured a 3rd consecutive win with a nail-biting 1 run victory over Weymouth in The Park. An opening stand of 102 between Stu Sweatman (63) and Rob Burfitt (81) set the foundation for a total of 237all out, with Eddie Clements (36) and Ben Fryer (18) also chipping in with important contributions. Weymouth were cruising at 179-2, but vital breakthroughs from Eddie Clements (2-45) and Stu Sweatman (2-46) pegged them back. With the visitors needing 5 to win off the last over it was left to the big man, Steve Forshaw (2-25), to keep matters under control, and he bowled a great over under massive pressure to concede only 3 runs and take the team to the narrowest of victories and an excellent double over Weymouth this year.
A fine all round performance from the 2nd XI saw a much needed victory away at Weymouth, completing a double-double over the seasiders for the 1st XI and 2nd XI this season! Bizarrely, on a baking hot day, with a great batting wicket and a lightening quick outfield at Redlands, Weymouth won the toss and stuck us in! Paul Clarkson got the innings off to a good start, with a knock of 56, while Monty Robertson kept up the momentum with 33. An excellent 40 not out from Harry Woolway, who was well supported by Josh York and Conrad Fish, ensured that the innings didn't tail off in disappointment, though our total of 212-9 looked like it might be a little light given the conditions. However, an excellent bowling and fielding effort, in which all the bowlers kept great discipline over line and length, saw the team chip away at the strong Weymouth upper order. Cameron Rawson and Harry Woolway bowled an excellent opening spell to build early pressure, which was continued by Conrad Fish and Neil Ford (5-51), before Rhys Horsman (3-26) cleaned up the tail for a very satisfying win.
The 3rd XI suffered defeat at the hands of a strong Shaftesbury side. The visitors batted first, and once again the 3rd XI's opposition seemed as so often this season to have one player who they just couldn't get out and who went on to score big runs! The team bowled well with limited resources, Eddie Stevens taking 1 for 48 in 10 overs and Alex Moore 1 for 56 in 12 overs being the pick throughout the onslaught that saw an eventual total of 312-5! The youngsters again showed good fighting spirit when it came to batting, replying with a very respectable 188 for 7. Under-14 Will Trevis finished on 16no, but the highlight was a fine knock of 87no from Chris Calcott.
The Sunday team headed off to league leaders Parley rather shorter on experience than normal, but nevertheless bowled well to restrict the hosts to 193-9 following the inevitable loss of the toss by Knighters on a very hot day!! The skipper led the way however, with 4 wickets for 33 runs, while veteran-for-the-day Jason Floater Forsey was as miserly as ever with 2-22. Chris Hedges made short work of the reply, reaching 108 not out, putting on 86 in partnership with Charlie Hodgson (34) for the 1st wicket, then an unbroken 108 with Josh York (40no) for the 2nd, as they cruised home in just 24 overs. This leaves the Sunday XI top of the Division 3 table.
This week we have the North Dorset Under-15 Cup Final at The Park on Thursday 25th from 6pm - a match that sees our own lads take on Buckhorn Weston (good luck to the team!). The game will be followed by the presentation of the ND Junior League Awards, and it looks like our teams will feature heavily. Come along if you feel able to support the U15s and also to see some of our juniors collect their league awards. There will be a BBQ and refreshments in aid of the Club.
Finally, next Wednesday the 31st we are holding our own Junior Presentation evening in The Park, from 7pm. There will be awards for all the Junior age-groups from U7 to U15 and again there will be a BBQ and refreshments. All junior and senior members and supporters of the Club are invited to come along, for what will be a sociable evening to mark the end of a very successful Junior cricket season for the Club.
Have a good week, hopefully see you in The Park!