Support U14s in Cup Final this evening

To celebrate our U14s competing in the East Surrey Colts League Cup final this evening, we publish coach David Swan's blog which marked them winning their semi-final.

 

The game this evening starts at 6pm and is against Reigate Priory at Reigate Pilgrims Cricket Pitch, Old Road, Buckland, Betchworth, RH3 7DS. All supporters are welcome.

"Sorry, it was so long ago, I can't remember the last time we lost a match. Tonight, we put ourselves into the ESCL Cup final!

 

Alvin Sathya captained the team, won the toss, gave all players a bowl and really tried, very hard, to give everyone a bat!

 

It was a Cup match and from the outset, we were sharp in the field, thanks to some tight bowling from our classic opening pair, in Matt Evans and Ben Jones. But it wasn't until Daniel Botma took out their opener and their first drop, that Coach was feeling confident. Newdigate's run rate continued to be contained,,,,"a dot ball is a good ball" was the cry.

 

While Botma had taken out Newdigate's top two batsmen, Alvin then struck with a clean bowled, and Newdigate were three wickets for 31 runs after 8 overs. Of course, wickets will fall through effluxion of time, but what was crucial tonight was to keep the run-rate contained, and the boys were very slick in the field tonight.

 

Wickets apiece to Stapleton, Chakravati, Kite, Faisal, and Swan. But what brought Newdigate's innings to such an early end was Will Broughton's bowling of two wickets for six runs in his first (and only) over (he would have loved and deserved a second over, but a victim of his own success) and Newdigate were all out for a seemingly beatable total of 65 runs.

 

At the change and there was speculation that 10 runs per over (refer our win against Dorking) and we should be home by the time Dad/Mum puts the dinner on!

 

Not to be. Newdigate played a very conservative "line and length", and tight fielding game. Some less than focussed batting saw Merstham at four wickets for 15 runs after seven overs. At this rate, we were looking a little bit shaky, but I have to say, Daniel Kite was showing maturity, concentration, confidence, and stamina, only to be unluckily run-out for 34 in the 15th over, after a partnership of 40 runs with Will Broughton.

 

Charlie Parkes came in (not yet hit one, let alone seven runs on the floor) much to everyone's expectation, and is dropped off his first ball.... A valuable eight runs nonetheless, before being caught at mid-on. Will B. presented a solid, and determined innings of a critical 14 runs off 27 balls, before being caught...after a much-needed partnership with Daniel K, and a truly stalwart performance. 

 

Zohaib and Alvin polish off the remaining runs needed for victory....and on to the final against, wait for it.......Reigate Priory.

 

The boys won this match in the field, with way better bowling than we have seen in recent matches and still stronger fielding practices. This performance gave us the leeway we needed in our lapses of concentration in batting, to be able to win ourselves a bonus fixture.

 

Congratulations to ALL the squad. Who was that winning coach who said: "I have a good feeling about this season." (ref. 22 Jan. 2019) ?

 

MOTM: Daniel Kite.