U9 Eagles beaten by leaders while Hawks win final game
IL
Ian Lamont
24 July, 2015
Merstham Eagles 257-11
Newdigate 274-8
Newdigate won by 17 runs
It might have been the last match of the season for Merstham's U9 The Eagles, but the boys knew that there was no taking their feet off the accelerator if they were to stand any chance of winning against the so far undefeated Newdigate.
Newdigate won the toss and elected to bat first. The Eagles bowled and fielded well and managed to restrict Newdigate to 274-8. Of note was a triple three for Luke Hirchfield - three wickets for three runs off his three overs - and two consecutive wickets to Sascha Byrne, including a great caught and bowled.
Newdigate won by 17 runs
It might have been the last match of the season for Merstham's U9 The Eagles, but the boys knew that there was no taking their feet off the accelerator if they were to stand any chance of winning against the so far undefeated Newdigate.
Newdigate won the toss and elected to bat first. The Eagles bowled and fielded well and managed to restrict Newdigate to 274-8. Of note was a triple three for Luke Hirchfield - three wickets for three runs off his three overs - and two consecutive wickets to Sascha Byrne, including a great caught and bowled.
Flynn McRobbie showed why he was the winner of the Manager's Player at the previous evening's annual awards by taking two catches and getting a stumping.
Newdigate then showed exactly how they have earned their position as top of the league. Superb bowling supported by great fielding meant that at one stage The Eagles dropped to a score of 184. A great recovery was led by the winner of the Team Batting award, Will John-Cox, well supported by Luke.
Newdigate then showed exactly how they have earned their position as top of the league. Superb bowling supported by great fielding meant that at one stage The Eagles dropped to a score of 184. A great recovery was led by the winner of the Team Batting award, Will John-Cox, well supported by Luke.
Great running between the wickets appeared to rattle Newdigate and the pair brought the score up to 225. Freddie Stevens and Sascha carried on the good work, leaving Connor Morris and Flynn only needing to make a mere 43 off the final four overs. They did their best with Connor hitting a great four and the boys running four off one ball, but were left 17 short. Perhaps if The Eagles Bowler of the Year, Max Thomas, had been able to play the result might have been different... but it was a great effort by the whole team.
Magnanimous in defeat, the Merstham boys congratulated Newdigate not only on this win, but also for winning the league.
A big thank you goes to Glenn Hirchfield for stepping in again as coach for the day, plus Andy Wright and Rob Bird for umpiring / scoring.
Well done to the Eagles for a successful season. The players have all showed real improvement over the last three months. Perhaps more important to mention though, is what a great bunch of boys they are. Looking forward to seeing you all back again next year.
Magnanimous in defeat, the Merstham boys congratulated Newdigate not only on this win, but also for winning the league.
A big thank you goes to Glenn Hirchfield for stepping in again as coach for the day, plus Andy Wright and Rob Bird for umpiring / scoring.
Well done to the Eagles for a successful season. The players have all showed real improvement over the last three months. Perhaps more important to mention though, is what a great bunch of boys they are. Looking forward to seeing you all back again next year.
The U9 Hawks finished the 2015 season in style, comfortably beating Sanderstead in an enjoyable game.
The Hawks bowled first, and despite struggling to take wickets, great fielding in the deep restricted Sanderstead to 271-3. Calm fielding under pressure resulted in two run outs, whilst Harry Colbourne and Jake Harper were the pick of many boys who bowled fantastically without just reward.
The Hawks commenced their response in stunning fashion: Fred Cantrell scoring a season’s best 29, which included a mighty six which bulleted through the crowd of watching parents and crashed into the coach’s car. (So that’s Fred dropped for next season….)
There was to be no respite for the Sanderstead bowlers, as James Pieters was next up, and mixed his traditional powerful hitting with some intelligent shot selection in scoring 22. Ben Lowe displayed confident stroke-play and his usual enthusiastic running in his 12, and the innings finished with a gloriously inventive knock of 18 by Jacob Law. The Hawks’ total of 317-3 ensured victory by 46 runs - a fitting finale to a great season.