E&MWCC U9 As hosted a talented Andover CC U9 A side on a picture perfect, sun-drenched Easton wicket. The Andover side were made up of a Farleigh School core (including 5 district players); their cohesion and team spirit was noticeable from the off.
Following the toss, Andover were put into bat with Noah and James G bowling the opening spell from the pavilion end. After a tight first over, T. Jenkins and L. Hopton set about the E&MWCC bowling with a number of boundaries. Despite a tight over from Joe, some misfielding (8 byes) kept the scoreboard galloping along at pace. Andover moved rapidly to 243 off 4 overs.

The next two Andover batsmen continued where the previous two had left off; 10 boundaries coming off the next 4 overs. C Mitchinson being the main contributor with 8 boundaries of the 10 (including four 6s). The overall score was limited by three wickets being taken (including a wicket a-piece for Alfie and Jacob and a well taken run-out); 295 off 8 overs.

Despite some accurate bowling from James, Griff, Joe and George, A Pareek produced a dazzling display of batting. His free-flowing stroke-play and immaculate timing resulted in 6 boundaries in a chance-less 31; 347 off 12 overs.

Easy as it would be for E&MWCC to succumb to the relentless Andover assault, they persevered with no little pride. This persistence from the E&MWCC bowlers (notably Alfie, Alex, Jacob and Noah) was rewarded with fine figures for the final four overs - only 9 runs being conceded. Alex and Alfie taking 3 wickets between them and Noah only 1 run away from bowling a maiden. Andover ended the innings on a mammoth 356.

Joe and Griff opened the E&MWCC innings against a pacy but often wayward Andover attack. Despite losing an early wicket, both batsmen grew into their innings’ playing some classy straight drives resulting in 5 boundaries and providing an excellent foundation to build on (225 off 4 overs).

Alfie and Alex spear-headed the middle order. Some tight bowling from Andover restricted both batsmen to defensive shots and multiple singles. Unfortunately, 2 late wickets limited E&MWCC to 240 off 8 overs.

Although E&MWCC struggled to push the scoreboard forward, Noah and George offered some resistance in the latter middle-order; some fine stroke-play and some erratic bowling took the innings to 262 off 12.

Jacob and James were the last pair to bat with the game a forgone conclusion. Both batted well against some hostile pace bowling; the highlight being a beautifully struck pull for 6 from James (nearly caught by his dad stood behind the midwicket boundary). E&MWCC finished on 272.

Andover U9 beat E&MWCC by 84 runs
E&MWCC Man of the Match: Noah (2 overs, 4 runs, 0 wickets), 12 runs

Summary: A performance of great character against a powerful and talented team.

Dave Hartwright