This made for a challenging time to bat first on our very first game of the season, with the grassy outfield 'wicket' creating a lot of variable bounce. We also came up against a very strong U9’s ‘A' team in their second match of the season. Fair Oak bowled very accurately and took 10 wickets in total during our innings, costing us an important 50 runs. The accuracy of their bowling made us go into our shells a bit, and it felt a little bit like watching England Test Opener, Dominic Sibley, bat at times, such was our dogged determination to defend, rather than take the bowling on! Harry S got to bat twice to make up the final pair, as we were one player short, and he batted very well together with Michael F, with Michael stealing quick singles and Harry striking a lofted on-drive and an aggressive pull shot in the last over of the innings.

At the change of innings, we felt as if we were behind but every single member of the team bowled and fielded very well - and we troubled Fair Oak's batsmen almost every over. We were a little unlucky not to take more wickets. Everyone can be proud of their efforts: Harry A led the bowling attack, with some controlled medium pace in the channel outside off stump, with a wicket in the final over; Alex opened the bowling with good pace, and bowled one of their openers in his first over; Raffy tempted them with his flighted deliveries and bowled accurately; Hugo floated the ball up to the batsmen well and followed through nicely; Harry S also bowled well today, his second over being a maiden. Felix claimed a wicket tempting the batsman out of his crease to be stumped; and Michael bowled well too after his impressive batting at the end of our innings.

2 learning points from today would be:

- Batting: Loud and clear ‘yes', ‘no' or ‘wait’ every single ball
- Fielding: someone (the bowler or a nearby fielder) taking the stumps at the bowler's end and someone else 'backing up’ throws coming into the stumps.

Good effort by the boys against a strong team on a tough wicket!

Txs to Rob A for scoring.

Jim Freeth