U14s prove Cap-able of reaching cup semi-final

Earlier this molnth, Merstham beat Capel in the quarter-finals of the Under 14 ESCL Cup.

It was a hard fought and close game, coming down to the very last over when Merstham just pipped Capel to secure the win and progress to the semi-final.

Capel won the toss and elected to bat; their opening pair steadily piling on the runs before Jude McRobbie claimed the first wicket in the eighth over.

With the score at 39-1 a flurry of boundaries increased the pressure on Merstham’s bowlers and no further wickets were taken.

Two of Capel’s batters retired having reached 40 runs and the new batsman continued to knock fours. At the end of the 2o overs, Capel were 147-1.

With the target set at 148, Merstham had quite a challenge ahead. Opening pair Noah Young and Ed Cecil made a steady start, with both losing their wickets in the seventh and eighth over.

New batsman Matt Retter and Jude McRobbie developed a formidable partnership with both hitting boundaries and increasing the run rate. The runs continued with Jude eventually retiring on forty one and Matt reaching nineteen before he was bowled.

With the hundred up in the 15th over and another wicket lost, Merstham played extremely well to maintain the runs before reaching the target with five balls to spare.

It was a well fought match with a nail biting finish, Merstham will now meet Horley in the semi-finals.

Merstham U14 Falcons: Max Anderson, Liam Barry, Ed Cecil, Ben Clements, Theo Elliot (wicket-keeper), Matt Greaves, Jude McRobbie, Matt Retter, Luca Retter, Harry Younan, Noah Young (captain)