U14s triumph in close (and muggy) encounter with Oxted

A tropically muggy & sweaty morning at Park Lane saw the arrival of Oxted & Limpsfield. The pitch was soft following the deluges from previous days. A big crowd gathered and the tension built.

Will, Jack & Seth made up the captaincy group with Will losing the toss & Oxted putting us in to bat on what proved to be a soft & lifeless wicket with quick scoring a challenge.

Seth & Jonny opened up for the Llamas, Jonny playing in his typical belligerent style including the shot of the day 6 behind square. He was unfortunately run out on 16 when going well – a lesson learnt for both batsman – no need to take risks so early in an innings & even if it’s not your call, you can say no.
Arnav was next in but found the going tough against some tight bowling. When Arnav was out Will joined Seth in the middle & both batted well on a difficult wicket putting on a vital stand of 72 ending when Will was out caught at mid-on for a run a ball 31. Then in the same over Seth was caught by the same fielder for a patient 38.
We then had some valuable cameos from Sean (19 off 10 balls including 2 meaty 6s), Jack (17 off 10 including his trademark flicks) and Ronnie (16 off only 6 balls including a massive 6 into a nearby garden) who confused everyone when taking a left-hand guard only to turn to his right hand stance meaning the Oxted team having to resume their fielding positions. Our boys & parents (in particular Surendra found this very funny). We finished with Will G rotating the strike nicely & Will J went for it! Our innings ended on 166 which felt a good total all things considered especially as the boys set a minimum 150 target & with the wicket proving difficult to score.

Oxted’s reply was steady at first but an early wicket from James and a run out from Will B left them 2 wickets down. Oxted then had a good 3rd wicket partnership with boundaries flowing until Seth’s gentle off-spin enticed a skier caught at the 2nd attempt by Will B. Oxted then had some big hitters quietening the Llama boys as boundaries were starting to flow with the pitch seeming to have dried out & be easier to bat on. However, run outs by James and Tristan slowed them down but the target was getting closer. Unfortunately for Oxted the overs were running out as were wickets. Will Jones & Will B then bowled superbly taking the last 5 wickets in 2.3 overs, 3 bowled & 2 caught. Cue delirious celebrations which continued in the changing rooms.
The result was a 21 run win which could have gone a different way had it not been for some excellent bowling, batting, fielding, team spirit & contributions from everyone. A major factor was the boys’ ability to make regular breakthroughs with crucial run outs, solid catching & keeping (no byes), outstanding bowling especially at the end & everyone throwing themselves around in the quest for victory.

So a really good game of cricket ended with the boys being greeted with a guard of honour from the 4 U14 supporters and warm applause from parents.

Big thanks to Matt for umpiring, Steve/Mark/Lorcan for scoring & expertly operating the scoreboard, Lorna for providing the fantastic refreshments & everyone else for their help & support for the boys – it really does help.

2 wins from our final 2 games will give the team the league title. Our friends from Banstead are the opposition at Park Lane next Sunday – but remember everyone, it’s just another game…