U15s make fine start in cup

Merstham U15s111-2 (12.4 overs) beat Salfords U15s 110-5 (15)

Under 15 Tier 2 Cup

An unbeaten 41 off 20 balls in an innings which included five huge sixes by James Pieters helped Merstham beat local rivals Salfords in the first round of the U15 Tier 2 Cup.

Cup rules limited each team to 15 overs and a retirement score of 40 to create a playing experience to mimic existing short form cricket competitions and the new 100 in particular.

With this in mind, Merstham put Salfords in to bat. A no ball off the first ball resulted in a free hit six and Salfords were off the mark. However some impressive bowling by Flynn McRobbie (2-17) and Max Yates (2-18) with catches by wicket keeper Josh Kenny and a great run out by Max limited the opposition to 110.

It was the second wicket stand of 57 between James Pieters and Tanay Patel that put Merstham well on the way to their win. Tanay, eventually making 24, almost saw Merstham to the end of the innings, but it was Roman Cameron on his debut for the U15s, who hit the winning runs.

Merstham now face Newdigate in the second round.