Match Report Pyrford U8’s vs Epsom CC
held at  West Byfleet school [Photo courtesy of Mark]

 

With the first challenge of actually getting through the gate successfully negotiated captain Ollie won the toss and decided that we ‘would have a bowl’.

On an outfield which had been recently mowed and which contained some significant piles of cut grass [which proved a bit of a distraction for some!] we got underway with two tight overs from the two Oliver’s. Harry and Harriet followed up with encouraging overs and we managed a run out off the last ball of Harriet’s over.

Honours even after 4 overs with Epsom on 217 for 1.

 

The next Epsom pair faced the awesome fire power of Jack, Morgan, Harry [again] and Joss.  Again, honours even with 15 runs scored for the loss of one wicket.

235 for 2 after 8 overs. A score of 60-70 appeared to be on the cards at this point.

 

Things started to move in our direction in the next spell with Mikey, Jack and the two Oliver’s conceding just 8 runs off the next 4 overs. Super bowling by Mikey,

Ollie and Ollie at the death resulted in FIVE wickets for the loss of 9 runs.  Epsom reduced to a modest 233 for 7 from their 16 overs.

 

Now whilst winning is not everything  I am not one for squandering an advantage! This game was very definitely ours to lose. Each of our batting pairs was given a specific part to play in securing a victory. Step up openers Morgan and Harriet. Job: “Don’t get out and milk the wides and no balls!” Result 22 runs [all extras] with out losing a wicket] Fantastic! After 4 overs 22 without loss.

 

Jack and Joss were next to the crease. Job: Don’t get out and take a few runs if they are available. First ball to Joss rips past her off stump by a whisker. The next is an in-swinging Yorker destined to

knock the stumps into the recreation ground next door. But calm as you like Joss just drops her bat and squeezes it out. After their 4 overs we were on a relatively comfortable 238 for 0.

 

As the batting side loses runs for each wicket lost it was still possible for us to lose but looking at Mikey and Harry as they prowled to the crease this didn’t look likely. Their brief was to look to try to build the score. Some nice singles which would have run for 4 on an outfield without so much cut grass and a few extras took us on to 253 again without loss.

 

Final pair of Oliver and Ollie G had a simple task. “Fill your boots without being reckless!” 27 runs later [including 3 fours] they retired leaving us with a very convincing 280 without loss of a single wicket.

 

Result Pyrford win by 47 runs.

 

As always I was very happy with the performance, particularly the way they boys and girls meshed together. A very good result but more importantly they all seemed to have fun.

Man or woman of the match is a hard call. Mikey’s bowling [3-0 -8-3] was outstanding. Oliver M’s economy was excellent [3-1-3-2] with  no extras conceded. Great batting from Ollie G.

However, the joint award this week goes to Morgan and Harriet for their disciplined opening batting partnership which set the tone for the innings and got us off to such a good start.

 

Stats for those [dads] who like this sort of thing! Mum’s you can stop reading ….assuming you started in the first place.

 

Bowling

 

Overs                    Maidens              Runs conceded                 Extras conceded               Wickets

 

Oliver M                                               3                              1                              3               0                                              2                  Excellent figures.

Ollie G                                                   3                              0                              7              4                                              0               Economical

Harry                                                     2                              1                              0               8                                              1              Very good wicket maiden

Harriet                                                  1                              0                              0               6                                              1              Very promising

Jack                                                        2                              0                              1              8                                              0              Very good second over

Morgan                                                1                              0                              0                8                                              0               First ball was excellent and every ball was straight.

Joss                                                        1                              0                              1                6                                              0              Encouraging start. Keep that bowling arm straight!

Mikey                                                   3                              0                              4                 4                                              3              Match winning figures!

 

Batting

 

Runs                      Extras                    Wickets                   Total

 

Morgan/ Harriett                             0                              22                           0                                  22

 

Jack / Joss                                           4                              12                           0                                 16

 

Mikey / Harry                                    3                              12                           0                                    15

 

Ollie G / Oliver                                   20                           17                           0                                    27