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Under 12A Match Reports 2008 See worthing.play-cricket.com for full scorecards |
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League Tables - updated 4.8.08
Worthing Under 12’s Festival Report 2008
Overall, an excellent Festival week for the U12s who secured two good wins and lost out in two close games, one of which was a draw. Playing in the top flight for the first time Worthing finished 2nd in their group missing out only to Bognor who were eventual finalists. The only team to take points off the group winners, this squad have clearly demonstrated that they are more than capable of competing with the best teams in the district. Many of the players have shown significant improvements in the last 12 months and as long as this continues, this team are sure to enjoy more success in the future. Well done to everyone who took part.
Match 1 - Home to Findon, Monday 28th July, 2008
Findon, 111 All Out (after 34.4 overs) lost to Worthing by 5 Wickets (113 for 5 after 24.2 overs)
In the end a comfortable win for Worthing although on occasions Findon threatened to make this a tighter game than the scoreline would otherwise suggest. Worthing, fielding in sweltering conditions, fought back well after the Findon openers got off to a flying start. Worthing’s resurgence owed as much to their fielding as anything else as two excellent run outs from Mason Crane and Harvey von Biel, and a fine overhead catch at cover by Matt Isaacs put the skids on Findon. Harry Dunn, meanwhile, excelled with the ball taking 4 wickets as Findon were cleaned out for 111.
Worthing also got off to a good start but then proceeded to lose 4 wickets in quick succession to some lose stroke play. At 49 for 4, the game hung in the balance as Worthing looked for someone to put some solidity into the innings. They found it in Mason Crane and Harvey Bevan who both played exceptionally well, putting together a winning partnership of 43 to take Worthing past Findon’s total with plenty of overs to spare. A good win for Worthing who showed good resolve in both innings when under pressure from the opposition.
Notable Performances:
Batting: Mason Crane 26 not out Martyn Swift 19 Harvey Bevan 16 not out Bowling: Harry Dunn 4 for 11 Mason Crane 2 for 21
Match 2 - Away to Middleton, Tuesday 29th July, 2008
Worthing, 145 All Out (after 29.4 overs) lost to Middleton by 1 Wicket (149 for 9 after 23.1 overs)
This was a tale of two batsman who dominated their respective innings making for an exciting and tense finish in what would otherwise have been a low scoring match. Worthing opened proceedings scoring at a steady pace but finding it hard to contend with some pacey bowling. After the loss of some early wickets, Nick Ballamy, showing no rustiness from his recent football tour, scored an impressive hard hitting and confident 68 including 12 fours and 1 six to put some weight on the Worthing total. Following his departure, disappointingly, Worthing succumbed soon after, leaving the home side a sizeable but gettable 146 to win.
Rory Collier of Middleton, put the old adage of ‘one man doesn’t make a team’ in question today as he followed his earlier 4 wicket haul with 104 not out that effectively won the game for his team. Worthing looked as though they held the advantage taking 5 wickets in two overs, leaving the home side on 76 for 8. Unperturbed, Collier saw this an excuse for more aerial bombardment and despite a brilliant run out from a direct throw by Nick Ballamy, for the 9th wicket, Middleton (Collier) eased past Worthing’s target with just 1 wicket in hand.
Notable Performances:
Batting: Nick Ballamy 68 Mason Crane 19 Bowling: Jamie Packer 3 for 12 Matthew Pearse 2 for 33
Match 3 - Home to Bognor, Thursday 31st July, 2008
Worthing, 131 for 8 (after 37 overs) drew with Bognor (135 for 7 after 30.2 overs)
Worthing’s innings was anchored by Martyn Swift who carried his bat from start to finish against a Bognor side who made scoring runs hard work both with their bowling and with some excellent work in the field. Critically, Worthing lost Nick Ballamy to a run out without scoring and although Harvey Bevan did provide some much needed support to Swift later in the innings, Worthing’s final total looked around 25 to 30 runs light of what would otherwise have been a competitive score.
Worthing suffered a further blow at the start of Bognor’s innings, losing opening bowler Jamie Packer to a leg injury during his first over. However, despite this set back, Worthing bowled and fielded with great determination and when Matthew Pearse took his 2nd wicket, Bognor were rocking on 99 for 6. An exciting atmosphere developed out in the middle as Worthing tried to secure the remaining wickets but to their credit Bognor held firm losing just one more man before hitting the final runs. A well fought game which may well have seen a different outcome but for a couple of mishaps that went against the home side.
Notable Performances:
Batting: Martyn Swift 57 not out Harvey Bevan 17 Bowling: Matthew Pearse 3 for 15 Mason Crane 2 for 30
Match 4 - Away to Chichester, Friday 1st August, 2008
Chichester, 121 All Out (after 33.3 overs) lost to Worthing by 7 Wickets (123 for 3 after 25.2 overs)
Chichester, fresh off the back of a large total the day before, failed to reproduce their batting form as Worthing continued their success with the ball. Worthing bowled out the opposition as Jamie Packer returned from injury and Nick Ballamy returned to form, to take 2 and 3 wickets respectively. Worthing’s fielding again underlined the improvements made by this side, evident during the season, which was further high-lighted by two excellent catches in the field by Matthew Pearse and Matthew Isaacs.
The target set by Chichester was unlikely to be enough on a fast outfield and so it proved as runs came easily for both Martyn Swift, who scored a back-to-back 50, and Harvey Bevan, who himself has shown genuine form with the bat this week. This pair played both sensibly and positively as they made easy work of the run chase, hitting the ball to all parts before they were both eventually run out. This allowed Nick Ballamy to hit the winning runs and draw to a close what was, by everyone’s estimation, a very successful week for this blossoming group of players.
Notable Performances:
Batting: Martyn Swift 51 Harvey Bevan 28 Bowling: Nick Ballamy 3 for 8 Jamie Packer 2 for 9 Harry Dunn 2 for 12
Final Group D Standings
Arun and Chichester District Bowl League
Match 7 - Home to Chichester, Friday 25th July 2008
Worthing, 86 All Out after 21 overs Lost to Chichester by 5 Wickets (89 for 5 after 21.2 overs)
Worthing concluded their league season with this re-arranged match against Chichester, rained off from earlier this month. The sunny evening encounter saw a clutch of caught & bowled dismissals as Chichester, unbeaten so far this season, ran out as comfortable winners. Having won the toss, an under strength Worthing A side chose to bat on a good looking wicket.
Worthing got off to a poor start losing both openers to soft dismissals. Worse was to follow when James Neal was smartly picked up at point by R. Alner as Worthing tumbled to 25 for 4. Nonetheless, Robbie Anderson (28) continued his fine form with the bat this season as he and Harvey Bevan (21), who himself had his best innings this year with some straight hitting, started to rebuild the innings. With both reaching their regulation retirements, Jamie Packer (10), came to the crease, and kept the score ticking over before he got out to one that kept low. In the end, consistent bowling from Chichester saw off any chance of a sizeable score from Worthing as both the tail and the two earlier retirements succumbed for just another 12 runs. R. Alner was the pick of the Chichester bowlers taking 3 wickets for just 9 runs as Worthing were cleaned out for 86.
Chichester got off to a solid start as Worthing openers Martyn Swift and James Allen, who made a promising debut for the club, found wickets hard to come by. Some indifferent fielding helped to keep the score moving in favour of the visitor’s, as D.Wood (21 not out) and H.Howitt (20 not out) provided the core of Chichester’s batting. The subsequent retirement of the two principle run getters did see a brief change in fortune as Worthing took a clutch of wickets in quick time; Alex Anderson picking up with the ball from where his brother left off with the bat, taking 3 wickets for 12. Of the 5 wickets claimed by Worthing, 4 of these were Caught & Bowled, adding to the 2 similar dismissals taken earlier by Chichester in Worthing’s innings – Is this a record (Ed)? In any event, it made little difference to the outcome as Chichester rolled passed Worthing’s total in the 22nd over.
Worthing, missing 5 first choice players, were probably one or two scores light of making this a competitive game. Depending on the outcome in other remaining fixtures, Worthing will conclude their first season in the top flight in 3rd or 4th spot; a creditable effort, but with some key players absent on and off during the season, perhaps a chance to reflect on what otherwise might have been.
Match 6 - Away to Littlehampton, Sunday 20th July 2008
Worthing, 148 for 5 after 25 overs Beat Littlehampton by 54 Runs (94 All Out after 25 overs)
More sunshine and more runs as Worthing U12As continued their league campaign at the Sportsfield; home of Littlehampton Clapham & Patching CC. Worthing won the toss and elected to bat on what was a fast bouncy track, somewhat tempered by a slow outfield.
Worthing’s openers Martyn Swift (20 not out) and Harry Dunn (20 not out) took running between the wickets to new levels as they endeavoured to keep the run rate as high as they dared. Despite surviving a few close calls, they both retired out having taken the score past 50 in the 9th over. Worthing’s middle order weren’t quite so lucky, as Matthew Pearse (12) mistimed a drive to cover and two run outs took care of two further victims, including Mason Crane (11), as the away side tried to force the pace. However, Harvey von Biel (23 not out) and Robbie Anderson (20 not out) came together to forge an excellent partnership and take the score past 3 figures in the 20th over; each finding the boundary on three occasions. Nick Oxley (6 not out) rounded off the innings with a boundary himself on the last ball of the 25th over taking Worthing up to 148 for 5 at the close.
With a large total to chase, Worthing decided to give all 10 outfield players a chance to turn their arm, each bowling 2 or 3 overs during the innings. Matthew Pearse (1 for 6) was the first bowler to get amongst the Littlehampton batting, clean bowling his victim with a well pitched up delivery. Michael Askew was the mainstay of the Littlehampton innings scoring 45 not out for his side which included eight boundaries. Despite his efforts, Worthing steadily worked their way through the remainder of the home side’s line-up. The two Dunn boys each claimed two wickets; Harry (2 for 1) and Jack (2 for 7), finally putting pay to some dogged resistance put up by the hosts. Jamie Packer (2 for 16) claimed his 2nd wicket with the last ball of the 25th over as Littlehampton finished on 94 for 9, 54 runs behind Worthing.
Another good win for Worthing, who are beginning to show some genuine depth in both their batting and bowling. Strong calling when running between the wickets is still called for, particularly when it’s a bit blowy and your partner’s got a helmet on over his ears!
Match 5 - Away to Midhurst, Sunday 13th July 2008
Worthing, 144 for 6 after 25 overs Beat Midhurst by 95 Runs (49 All Out after 17.1 overs)
A bright sunny morning saw Midhurst and Worthing take each other on in a match in which both teams were only able to muster 10 players. Worthing won the toss and chose to bat first against an up and coming Midhurst team, made up largely of U11s.
The short boundary on Midhurst’s 2nd square encouraged Worthing’s big hitters and despite some excellent fielding by Midhurst, including an early run out from a direct throw, Worthing’s top order piled on the runs. Opener Harry Dunn (34 not out) lead the way ably supported by Matthew Pearse (20 not out), Mason Crane (20 not out) and Harvey Von Biel, playing his first game for the A team this season, (23 not out), as all four found their share of boundaries. Midhurst were further hampered losing their wicket-keeper to an injury later on in the innings as Robbie Anderson (14) carried on the assault hitting some quick runs towards the end. Worthing finally closed out on 144 losing 6 wickets in their 25 overs.
This would be a tall order for Midhurst to chase such a large total but the innings got off to a bright enough start as their openers also found the boundary with some ease. However, the departure of Bridger (14), bowled by Robbie Anderson (1 for 14) and Cowell (10) trapped LBW on the full by Matthew Pearse (2 for 2), put a hold on the Midhurst Total. The last 7 wickets fell for just 7 runs as the Worthing bowlers returned some excellent figures. Pride of place goes to Harry Dunn who took 4 wickets for 6 runs in just two overs, including a triple wicket maiden. He rounded off his day’s effort in the field with a run out from a direct throw, making today’s Man of the Match adjudicator’s decision a straight forward affair. Mason Crane came on to take the last wicket with his first ball with the score on 49 in the 18th over.
A good all round display, with some strong batting and tight bowling performances which were well supported by, on the whole, alert ground fielding and excellent catching; a big improvement on last time out. Well done to everyone.
Match 4 - Home to Bognor, Friday 20th June 2008
Bognor, 120 for 6 after 22 overs Beat Worthing by 56 Runs (64 All Out after 16.2 overs)
A sense of foreboding loomed large as rain clouds gathered over Worthing on what turned out to be an evening cloaked with a cold wind and persistent drizzle. Bognor won the toss and had no hesitation choosing to bat first in the best of the conditions. It was agreed, prior to play, to reduce the match to 22 overs per side, as the result of a delayed start.
Martyn Swift (2 for 14 off 3 overs) took the challenge to Bognor early on taking two wickets in the first 3 overs of the innings. However, this proved to be something of a false dawn as Bognor knuckled down and got to grips with the weather and pitch. A demonstration of poor fielding skills, albeit in trying conditions, saw runs come all too easily for the visitors. A lack of alertness and willingness by Worthing in the field contributed to some sloppy mistakes as three of Bognor’s batsmen headed towards retirement scores; A.Cooper, C.Edwards and H.Hood all reaching 20 not out. A sense of going through the motions best describes Worthing’s performance in the latter part of the innings as Bognor amassed 120 for 6 wickets in their allotted overs.
Worthing’s reply started well enough in what was a brief respite from the rain. Harry Dunn (18) took the lead role in Worthing’s batting performance playing some positive shots against some good bowling. However, the return of the drizzle heralded a collapse in Worthing’s middle order as they lost three wickets with the score static on 41; two of these to run outs as Worthing carried their poor fielding performance into their running between the wickets. The diminishing light did serve to demonstrate the marvel of Worthing’s new electronic scoreboard as it shone brightly across the ground while wickets fell steadily in the gloom out in the middle. Matthew Isaacs (11 not out) offered some late resistance, but by the time the last wicket fell in the 17th over, with the score on 64, the rain was falling steadily, so it was with some relief that the players headed towards the pavilion.
One to forget for Worthing, as an under strength team found it difficult to cope with the conditions. A much better effort will be needed next time around if this team wants to compete at this level.
Match 3 - Home to East Preston, Sunday 8th June 2008
Worthing, 142 for 5 after 25 overs Beat East Preston by 77 Runs (65 All Out after 22.4 overs)
A dry, warm and sunny morning greeted the players for Worthing U12A’s first home game of the season. Worthing won the toss and duly elected to bat against an up and coming East Preston side, many of which are playing their first season of hard ball cricket.
Worthing got off to a strong start. Despite losing one of their openers early on, Matthew Pearse (20 not out) helped the score along at a good pace hitting 3 boundaries on the way. Matthew was well supported by Robbie Anderson (21 not out) who made his highest score for the club today. East Preston found wickets hard to come by but D.Gladdish picked up two of Worthing’s victims finishing with figures of 2 for 26 off 5 overs. Martyn Swift (21 not out) and Jamie Packer (12) kept the score ticking over mid-innings as they saw the score reach 3 figures in 18th over. Harry Dunn’s 17 included three 3’s, no doubt cursing his father for setting the boundary too deep which would otherwise have seen Worthing’s 4th retirement. Nonetheless, Worthing closed on 142 losing just 5 wickets in their 25 overs.
East Preston responded with an excellent start themselves; Ed Green (12) hitting 10 off the first over. However, after that, runs were not easy to find as Worthing settled in to some steady bowling on a slow track. The home side picked away at the East Preston batting with 8 out of 9 of the Worthing bowlers notching up at least 1 wicket; Mason Crane (2 for 6 off 4) and Jamie Packer (2 for 7 off 3) bagging a pair each. James Burn (14) was the mainstay of the East Preston innings batting through more than half the innings for his score. He was helped out towards the end by Ben Ardern (11) who provided a quick flurry with some hefty blows. Jack Nicholson stepped into the bowling arena for Worthing and picked up his first wicket for the club as Jamie Packer took a well-judged skier for the 10th wicket in the 23rd over; East Preston finishing all out on 65.
A good all round performance with all players contributing. With 8 bowlers taking wickets, 5 different players gaining individual bonus points and others achieving some notable ‘firsts’, this was a fine team display. A well done is also due to Keith Parker and Sarah Swift (and Mason) for assisting East Preston with their match duties and to Mandy and Mandy for helping out with the teas and Danny who assisted with the operation of the scoreboard.
Match 2 - Away to Findon, Sunday 1st June 2008
Worthing, 102 for 5 after 25 overs Beat Findon by 18 Runs (84 for 9 after 25 overs)
After some overnight rain, a wet outfield caused some discussion before the umpires finally decided to go ahead with the match. The condition of the all-weather track could be described as slippy, as Findon won the toss and put Worthing in to bat.
Worthing began steadily enough as they found their way in the difficult conditions. Harry Dunn’s arrival at the crease following the fall of the first wicket gave the innings a boost, scoring a quick fire 20 before he retired out. Worthing then lost Nick Ballamy, following a call for a sharp single, and Martyn Swift (12) in quick succession, reducing the visitors to 40 for 3 after 12 overs. Worthing’s two new batsmen in the middle, Oliver Parker (20 retired out) and James Neal (13), then rebuilt the innings superbly well, helping to take the score up to 92 before the fall of the next wicket. Robbie Anderson, Harvey Bevan and Jamie Packer all chipped in with some runs towards the close; Jamie hitting a super cover boundary on the last ball of Worthing’s allotted 25 overs, taking the score up to 102 for 5. Alex Norman bowled particularly well for Findon, returning figures of 1 wicket for 8 runs off 5 overs.
Worthing got off to a dream start, taking 3 wickets in the first 3 overs. Nick Ballamy (1 for 8 off 3.1 overs) clean bowled Findon’s first victim in the second over which was immediately followed by Martyn Swift (2 for 9 off 4) who found two edges in 3 balls, which were well taken by Harvey Bevan behind the stumps. From a difficult position, Curtis Howell (21), Oliver Carpenter (20 retired out) and Sam Robinson (10) set about putting some runs on the board for Findon. Some good fielding mixed in with some not so good helped to keep the game alive but in the end Worthing had the edge. Mason Crane (1 for 7 off 2) and Oliver Parker (1 for 6 off 3.5) each took a wicket in the latter stages and as the run chase grew more desperate, a flurry of run outs saw Findon close out on 84 for 9 after 25 overs.
A well managed win by Worthing in tricky conditions. Same old issues to work on though: running between the wickets, particularly in the art of grounding one’s bat, and fielding under pressure, specifically, only throwing at the stumps when there’s a genuine chance of a run out and, more importantly, when one of your fielders isn’t in the way – I think Obbie is still rubbing the bruise!
Match 1 - Away to Middleton, Sunday 11th May 2008
Middleton, 97 All Out (after 24.4 overs) Beat Worthing by 14 Runs (83 for 9 after 25 overs)
The early summer heat wave was in full force as Worthing U12A’s pitched up for their first league match of the season against Middleton. Now playing in the Bowl Division this will be an interesting season for Worthing’s up and coming stars. The opposition won the toss and chose to bat on a greenish wicket which, so early in the season, would show some variable bounce.
Middleton got off to a flying start. B.Stride (36) spearheading the attack with some fine front foot stroke play. Supported by O.Russell (13), together, the two openers took the score along at a good pace; by the end of the 9th over, Middleton were 41 without loss. Enter the quintet of Oliver Parker (3 for 8 off 3), James Neal (3 for 4 off 2), Harry Dunn (2 for 7 off 3), Jamie Packer (1 for 11 off 3) and Mason Crane (0 for 8 off 3). With each bowling their own brand of straight up and down bowling they all crafted superbly well to put the brakes on Middleton’s progress, as well as take a clutch of wickets; Oliver taking his three in one over. By the end of the 15th over Middleton had been pegged back to 55 for 6 with the game nicely poised. B.Searle(14) and G.Rawstrone (9) kept the scoreboard ticking over for Middleton and the re-emergence of B.Stride from his earlier retirement took the score up to 97 before he was bowled by Martyn Swift (1 for 18 off 4.4) in the last over.
Worthing’s reply can be described as steady and assured but was never quite strong enough to keep up with the required run rate. Mason Crane (10) and Harvey Bevan (7) got Worthing’s innings off to a solid enough start but some tight bowling and alert fielding made runs hard to come by. Harry Dunn looked as though he might take the attack to Middleton with a well struck pull shot for 4 but he was caught soon after, skying one off his leading edge to a well judged catch by H.Annals. Martyn Swift (20 not out) provided the back bone of the innings as wickets fell steadily at the other end but by the time he retired Worthing were 66 for 5 in the 20th over still 32 runs behind. Matthew Pearse (11) supported by Robbie Anderson (2), provided a much needed quick flurry towards the end and Will Bardouleau (5 not out) struck a superb cover drive to the boundary late in the day giving Worthing a brief glimmer of hope. G.Sherry (3 for 7 off 4) was the pick of the Middleton bowlers but the loss of three wickets in the last over belied how well Worthing had batted, closing on 83 for 9, 14 runs shy of the opposition’s total.
A well fought close game of cricket with a lot of quality about it. Worthing needs to sharpen up in the field if they are to win these tight games but there was still much to enjoy in this performance. Not a bad start despite the loss. Well done boys. And thanks also to Keith Parker for stepping in as Worthing’s umpire at short notice.
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