Well, not so much to report this week folks! Several of the junior teams have finished their games now and the senior team matches were decimated by the rain this weekend.
On Monday, the U-11 Pirates completed an enjoyable season with a loss at home to a strong Bradford Abbas side. Bradford batted first and, despite some good bowling, finished on 288-6 after several of their bigger lads really swung the willow and hit a number of boundaries. Will Guppy, Cam Woodhouse and Matt Williams all took a wicket each, while Will Coleman bowled excellently in his 3 for 14.
In reply, the Pirates batters set about their task and at times ran very well between the wickets. However, we lacked the brute force of the Bradford Abbas batting line-up, and though everybody chipped in with a few runs the winning total always looked out of reach. Batting in the final pair, Will Coleman really had a go at the bowling and hit a fine 23 runs, but the Pirates eventually finished on 237-7 after a flurry of late wickets. For his all round performance, Will Coleman was Star-of-the-Week. Very well done to all the players who have appeared for the Pirates this season, they've been a credit to themselves and the Club and have all improved their skills.
On Wednesday, the U-11 Outlaws took on Kilmington, hoping to secure the league title and preserve their 100% record. The Outlaws the toss and were put in - only to produce their worst batting display of the season! It was all there - poor shot decisions, terrible running between the wickets, and after 4 overs The Outlaws were 186-4 (negative figures, unheard of) and reeling badly. However, Josh Nancarrow (15 no) steadied the ship before another flurry of wickets left them 203-8 from 12 overs. Up stepped Luke McLaughlin (40) to power the score up to a semi-respectable, but by no means unbeatable 248-10.
A little team chat between innings focussed the minds and the Outlaws then put in one their best bowling and fielding displays of the season. Everyone contributed, there were five run outs, including two direct hits (one by Matt Crosby from the square leg boundary!!), excellent wicket keeping and bowling alike, as Kilmington finished on 229-13 - not a score you'll see often!. The main wicket-takers were William Coleman (2-10), Sam Pipe (2-20) and Will Collins (2-17). Luke McLaughlin was Star-of-the-Week for an excellent all round performance that earned the much needed victory. Congratulations to all the players who have represented The Outlaws - to finish the season unbeaten is a fantastic achievement!
On Thursday evening, the Under-15s took on Buckhorn Weston in the North Dorset Cup Final. Unfortunately, our side was without a number of key players and lots of Under-13s had to step in instead. Talented though these lads all are, it was a big ask to play a Cup Final against a strong Buckhorn team made up of mostly Year-10 players and featuring Harry Woolway as opening bowler and batsman. Harry plays for our 2nd XI and has made several appearances for the 1st XI this season, so he was always likely to be a key figure in the game. So it proved as, when Stalbridge batted first, Harry ripped through our top-order taking 4 wickets in 4 overs. There was no way back as Stalbridge were dismissed for 44, then for Buckhorn (Harry again!) to knock the runs off for no wickets in the 5th over. Oh well, no shame at all in losing to a stronger side, especially for a much younger team, most of whom have yet to have their day at that age-level.
After the match, the NDCA then presented awards to the teams that have won the various 2013 junior cricket leagues. This was almost embarrassingly dominated by our teams, who picked up Indoor Winners trophies at Under-11, Under-13 and Under-15, as well as the summer league titles in the Under-9, Under-11 and Under-13 age-groups, and the Under-13 runners-up medals too. So not a bad night, or season....!
This week Star-of-the-Week Awards were presented to;
Under-7s: Sam Kelly & Oscar White
Under-9s: Millie Forshaw
Under-11s: Will Coleman & Luke McLaughlin
The senior matches this weekend all fell foul of the rain, both on Saturday and Sunday. All four games were started, but none were finished and all were abandoned.
There were a few notable performances however in the time that play was achieved - Theo Grainzevelles made a half-century for the 1st XI at Dorchester, Fred Chant actually got into double figures with 42no for the 2nd XI and Chris Hedges made 102 for the Sunday team. All these efforts were ultimately in vain, but I guess they all enjoyed their afternoons more than most of us!
This coming Wednesday evening our own 2013 Junior Presentation will take place from 7pm in The Park. ALL members of the SCC (Junior or Senior) and their families are invited. There will be individual achievement awards for the Under-7, Under-9, Under-11, Under-13 and Under-15 age-groups, as well as the presentation of trophies to those teams that have won league or cup honours this year. We also intend to take some team and group photos, so if players could wear their playing shirts that would be ideal (no need for full whites). There will be a BBQ and refreshments available, and the evening should be a pleasant and sociable way to end another successful junior cricket season.
We hope to see you there!