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Under 13 Match Reports 2008 See worthing.play-cricket.com for full scorecards |
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Worthing Under 13’s Festival Report 2008
Overall a mixed week, as the U13s comfortably won two of their games but came up short in their other two matches which saw close finishes in each. Finishing 2nd in the group, a bit more tactical nous may have helped them into the Festival Final but that’s not to take anything away from this group of boys who punch well above their weight. Worthing U13s is made up of a small group of players, so to have competed so well over the season, in both the league and festival competitions, is a credit to all of them. We look forward to more successes in 2009.
Match 1 - Home to Arundel, Monday 18th August, 2008
Arundel, 165 for 9 (after 37 overs) Beat Worthing by 29 Runs (136 All Out after 32.2 overs)
In the end, a disappointing result in which Worthing should have at least secured a draw. Arundel, batting first used their batting power houses, in the form of Sam Temple and Ryan Mullen, to good affect amassing quick runs early on. Despite surviving a couple of close calls, these two kept Arundel’s total ticking along at around 5-an-over and although the run rate slowed somewhat after their departure, it still left the home side with a sizeable target to chase down.
Worthing got off to a slow start, finding runs hard to come by off some nippy and accurate bowling. It was left to Bradley Lewis and Harrison Reed to get the score moving mid-innings as they started to find some gaps in the Arundel field off the second tier bowlers. The earlier slow start was going to make the run chase difficult and when these two were out chasing the runs, the target appeared beyond Worthing. A draw nonetheless was still very much on the cards but some lose batting saw Worthing lose their last 3 wickets in the final two overs of the innings giving away an outright win to Arundel.
Notable Performances:
Batting: Harrison Reed 42 Bradley Lewis 17 Bowling: James Cameron 3 for 27 Harrison Reed 2 for 18 Bradley Lewis 2 for 27
Match 2 - Home to Findon, Tuesday 19th August, 2008
Worthing, 222 for 2 declared (after 32 overs) Beat Findon by 140 runs (82 All Out after 23.4 overs)
This was to be a strong win for Worthing, set up by an unbroken 3rd wicket partnership of 184 from Harrison Reed and Bradley Lewis. After the loss of the two Worthing openers, this pair made run scoring look easy, albeit against an under strength Findon attack. Both players batted sensibly while demonstrating some positive strokes as they marked up their respective individual best scores for the club. Worthing declared on a ‘Double Nelson’ after 32 overs to bring about an early tea.
James Cameron’s first ball dismissal signalled Worthing’s continued dominance of this match as the home side took a further two wickets before 3 overs were up. Findon’s Ben Cooper and Sam Dunkley did put together a brief partnership of their own but a combination of some straight bowling and bad luck in the end proved too much for the visitors. A comfortable win for Worthing which left them ruing yesterday’s result.
Notable Performances:
Batting: Harrison Reed 109 not out Bradley Lewis 67 not out Bowling: James Cameron 3 for 8 Sam Wookey 2 for 8 Faraz Hamid 2 for 12
Match 3 - Home to Eastergate, Thursday 21st August, 2008
Eastergate, 108 for 9 (after 37 overs) Lost to Worthing by 8 Wickets (109 for 2 after 20.1 overs)
Eastergate, true to form, batted steadily, if not spectacularly, to build a modest first innings total. A good 3rd wicket partnership of 68 between Matthew Reynolds and Tom Stanard brought most of the runs but the departure of these two saw a collapse in the remainder of the batting as Worthing took a further 6 wickets for just 19 runs. The dismissals included an Oliver Parker hat-trick started by a well taken low catch from Sam Wookey in the covers.
Despite the wicket showing some variable bounce, a score of 108 wasn’t likely to be enough to trouble Worthing and after the loss of a couple of early wickets, it was the turn of Worthing’s 3rd wicket partnership to take centre stage. An unbroken stand of 78 between Martyn Swift and Bradley Lewis, with 11 boundaries between them, comfortably took Worthing home for a win and still an outside chance of qualification for the final.
Notable Performances:
Batting: Martyn Swift 54 not out Bradley Lewis 34 not out Bowling: Oliver Parker 3 for 19 Bradley Lewis 2 for 18
Match 4 - Away to Goring, Friday 22nd August, 2008
Worthing, 176 for 7 declared (after 35 overs) drew with Goring (94 for 9 after 35 overs)
Another missed opportunity for Worthing, this time unable to bowl the opposition out having batted to a commanding position. Bradley Lewis completed an excellent week with the bat providing the mainstay of the Worthing innings with another confident looking fifty plus score. It may have been more for Worthing but for a fine catch dismissing Harrison Reed just as he was getting into his stride. As it was, some good cameo performances from Faraz Hamid, Robbie Anderson and Daniel Stuart were enough to allow Worthing to declare just as a brief shower interrupted proceedings.
Worthing got off to a flying start as they ripped through the Goring’s top order. After 10 overs, the home side were 5 down with just 15 on the board and the game looked as good as won. However, Tom Thorns was the proverbial thorn in Worthing’s side today, batting head and shoulders above his peers. When he was finally out in 27th over at the fall of the 8th wicket, he had given his side a genuine chance of saving the game. But for a dropped catch in the penultimate over, Worthing had the game won, but credit to Goring as they closed out the game with one wicket in hand, restricting Worthing to a winning draw.
Notable Performances:
Batting: Bradley Lewis 66 Daniel Stuart 21 not out Bowling: James Cameron 3 for 17 Daniel Stuart 2 for 7 Harrison Reed 2 for 10 Bradley Lewis 2 for 17
Group Z Final Standings
Match 4 - Home to Bognor, Sunday 17th August 2008
Bognor, 127 for 4 after 25 overs Beat Worthing by 12 Runs (115 All Out after 24.2 overs)
Nearly 2 months have passed between the previous and this, the last league game for the U13s this season. A good win would almost certainly secure the league title but on a wicket that saw some overnight rain, batting would prove difficult on a track that gave some extraordinary bounce. Having won the toss and considered the options, Worthing chose to field.
Bognor coped with the difficult wicket well although some short pitched bowling allowed Bognor to help themselves to some early boundaries. Worthing’s catching was equally poor as 5 chances went down, 3 early on in the innings, which had they been taken, might have changed the course of the match. As it was, Bognor pressed home their advantage as both Sam Adams and Ryan Maskell reached retirement scores. Martyn Swift was the pick of the Worthing bowlers with figures of 1 for 4 off 4 overs, his wicket coming from an excellent low catch by James Cameron running round from mid-off, but in general the bowling was expensive. At innings close, Bognor had posted 127 for 4 an excellent score on a difficult wicket.
Worthing found runs hard to come by as the Bognor openers bowled accurately. Things got worse as Harrison Reed retired hurt without scoring. Nick Ballamy (13) threatened to take the game to Bognor hitting 3 quick boundaries but when he played across a straight one, his departure signalled a collapse that all but ended the contest. With Worthing on 61 for 9, Harrison Reed returned to the crease with Sam Wookey to salvage some respectability. As it was the pair did this and much more as they hit a clutch of boundaries during the last few overs. Partly helped by some ‘community bowling’, Harrison Reed (32 not out), including one six, and Sam Wookey (25) got the score up to 115 before Mikey Harris claimed the last wicket for Bognor, finishing with 3 for 7 off 4.2 in the 25th over.
Perhaps a disappointing end to the league season for a team which started brightly. Other matches will determine whether or not Worthing will claim the U13 title. In the mean time, this game should serve as a much needed warm up for the forthcoming festival.
Match 3 - Home to West Chiltington, Tuesday 24th June 2008
Worthing, 152 for 4 after 25 overs Beat West Chiltington by 104 Runs (48 All Out after 18.3 overs)
A fine sunny evening at the Manor provided the backdrop for this match against an up and coming West Chiltington side. The Visitors won the toss and elected to field on a dry wicket that is beginning to provide more of an even bounce now that it is beginning to harden up (so I’m reliably informed).
Worthing soon lost opener, Harry Dunn (4), to a fine catch at mid-wicket by Z. Haulkham, as he tried to force the pace early on. Undaunted, set about building a large total through a series of good partnerships. Martyn Swift (22 not out) and Harrison Reed (16) took the score up to 39 before Bradley Lewis (20 not out) and Luc Hinton (9) continued with some strong batting. With the score on 97, Mason Crane (16 not out) and James Cairns (22 not out) came together; James continuing his good form with the bat hitting another four boundaries on his way to another regulation retirement. H. Bullock took 2 wickets for West Chiltington but along with his colleagues, was unable to stem the flow of runs as Worthing reached 152 at the close.
West Chiltington found runs hard to come by as Worthing set about the opposition batting with some accurate bowling. A steady trickle of wickets tells its own tale with most of the Worthing bowlers finding at least one wicket at regular intervals during the course of the evening. Luc Hinton (2 for 2), Mason Crane (2 for 4) and Faraz Hamid (2 for 9) were those who each managed a brace as West Chiltington finally succumbed to 48 All Out in the 19th over; the 10th wicket falling to a run out from an excellent throw by James Cairns at mid-off. J. Curtis (8) top scored for West Chiltington but credit to all their players who played with a smile on their face despite the loss.
Another good all round performance from the Worthing U13s. Unbeaten so far this season, the team have played above expectations in this league. Well Done indeed.
Match 2 - Away to Midhurst, Sunday 15th June 2008
Worthing, 181 All Out after 23.4 overs Beat Midhurst by 5 Runs (176 for 7 after 25 overs)
The picturesque setting of Midhurst’s Ruins Ground would be the venue for this encounter which turned out to be a run fest of epic proportions. With the weather set fair, Worthing won the toss and chose to bat on a field which, with such short boundaries, encouraged strong stroke play.
Martyn Swift (27) and Harry Dunn (20) got Worthing off to a strong start bringing up the first 50 in just the 5th over. With both retired out, Worthing then lost three quick wickets bringing Nick Ballamy (43) and James Cameron (29 not out) to the crease. This pair added to the earlier strong start and saw Worthing pass three figures in the 11th over; Nick Ballamy claiming 9 boundaries in his total. Daniel Stuart (10) and Joe Newman (15) played good supporting cameo roles in the lower part of the order as Midhurst grafted to stay in the game. Disappointingly, the return of Worthing’s earlier retirements didn’t yield the expected number of runs, each getting out carelessly to poor shots. Nonetheless Worthing finished on a creditable 181 in the 24th over giving something for the bowlers to go at.
The shadow of ‘Man Mountain’ Jake Renwick (43 not out) loomed large over Worthing’s attack as he set about reducing the deficit. Although dropped twice, he was the mainstay of Midhurst’s innings as he plundered runs to all parts. Supported by Ollie Pearce (29 not out), the two openers kept Midhurst firmly in the game both before they retired out and on their return at the end. The Midhurst Nos.3 and 4 didn’t fair so well and, in what was perhaps the turning point of the match, Bradley Lewis picked up a superb diving catch to his left on the square leg boundary off Martyn Swift (2 for 30 off 4). Bradley bowled extremely well himself returning 1 for 6 off 3 while Harry Dunn also picked up 2 wickets for 7 runs off his 2 overs. Always behind the chase, Midhurst were never quite able to match the strong start of Worthing’s innings and still needed 13 to win off the last over. This time it fell to Harrison Reed (0 for 23 off 5) to bowl the last over which he did for just 7 runs (much to the disappointment of the baying home supporters) rounding off a fine display of economical bowling in testing circumstances.
A remarkable encounter in which Worthing can take much pride. Of particular note, was the improvement in the fielding which only two days before was looking disjointed but today held up extremely well under the pressure of the run chase. A good game to win with some valuable experience gained. Well done everyone.
Match 1 - Home to Chichester, Friday 13th June 2008
Worthing, 120 for 8 after 25 overs Tied with Chichester A (120 for 9 after 25 overs)
Worthing’s U13s saw Chichester A as their first opponents this season playing this match on what turned out to be a fine Friday evening albeit a bit chilly towards the close. Worthing won the toss and chose to bat taking advantage of the bright conditions in the late afternoon.
Martyn Swift (16) and James Cairns (20 not out) got Worthing off to a good start helping to take the score up to 57 for the first wicket. James Cairns decided to save his legs by hitting his retirement score entirely in boundaries as Chichester went on to the back foot. Bradley Lewis (10) kept the attack to Chichester before a mix up with Nick Ballamy saw him run out by some distance. Nick Ballamy (21 not out) continued the attack hitting 4 boundaries himself before he also retired out. With the score past 80 in the 16th over, a big total looked possible but Chichester hit back making short work of Worthing’s middle late order. D.Glover 2 for 11, Ollie Greenlees 2 for 11 and Henry Slatter 2 for 14 all put the brakes on Worthing’s progress but Faraz Hamid (9 not out) gave the tail a much needed wag with Worthing closing out on 120 for 8.
Chichester got off to an unsteady start as they lost 3 wickets in the first four overs. James Cameron (2 for 13 off 5) and Bradley Lewis (2 for 16 off 5) each took a wicket early in their opening spells, while a run out added to Chichester’s woes. However, some generally poor bowling and some crass fielding handed the initiative back to Chichester as the middle order took control. Toby White (28 not out), Ollie Greenlees (20 not out) and J.Clarke (17) all played particularly well as Chichester batted their way back into contention. Martyn Swift (2 for 9 off 4) provided some much needed control, claiming two wickets to keep the game on edge. Joe Newman had the dubious distinction of bowling the last over with Chichester still requiring 5 runs to win. By hook or by crook, only 3 singles and one bye were given up as Chichester lost their 9th wicket to a run out on the last ball chasing what would have been the winning run.
A well contested game let down by some wayward bowling and, at times, very ordinary fielding. In tight games such as these, as the boys should know by now, that the fielding aspect of the game is just as important as everything else and will often determine the outcome; more so than how one bats or bowls. For those who think coaching is all about turning up and ‘having a net’ then think again.
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