Super Sunday and day 3 of an England Test match coincided with the welcome resumption of U9 cricket at E&MWCC. A talented E&MWCC team took on South Wiltshire (SW) under sunny skies and on a wonderfully prepared Easton wicket. Patrick Burnand manfully covered a team shortage for SW as the game commenced under the umpiring of his father. SW were put into bat. George L opened the bowling from the pavilion end taking a wicket with his first ball and ending with a double wicket maiden. Noah kept up the pressure taking the wicket of H Worrell in the second over. James G and George S further restricted the visitors who struggled to 206 off 4 overs. With a combination of pace, flight and accuracy, Alfie, Jacob and Griff (respectively) held the middle order; Alfie taking the well deserved wicket of O Wright. SW clawed to 215 off 8 overs. Some over-exuberant E&MWCC fielding aided the SW total but the return of George L, Griff and Jo lead to flurry of wickets. SW reaching 231 off 14 overs. A late flourish of boundaries from the number 8 batsman (Rowe) helped the Visitors post a fighting total of 237.
George S and James G opened Easton’s account with the bat playing with great positivity. Two consecutive boundaries from George S and a number of well taken singles took the home side to 215 off 2 overs. Aided by extras, the pair ended their 4-over innings with E&MWCC on 228. Griff and Alfie followed playing with similar fluency and no little style; Alfie playing some glorious cover drives. The SW total was reached by the start of the 7th over. By the close of the 8th over E&MWCC had accumulated 244 runs. Having surpassed the SW total, E&MWCC accelerated away with the partnership of George L and Jacob. George, playing with great skill and timing struck four 4s in an unbeaten 21. The pair ending their partnership with the total on 277 off 12 overs. Jo and Noah maintained the high quality of batting with a confident display; Jo striking 3 boundaries and completing E&MWCC’s innings on 291 off 16 overs.

E&MWCC beat SWCC by 54 runs

Summary: A great morning's cricket. E&MWCC played with skill, wonderful team spirit and sportsmanship. A credit to the club.

Special mention to George Lott on a commanding performance (21 n.o., Bowling figures of 2 overs - 1 maiden - 3 wickets - 0 runs and George Burnand for bravely playing for the other side.

David Hartwright