Report from Dan Beckell
We welcomed our friends from Old Basing for the latest under 13’s league match on a warm and muggy morning. Skipper Travis lost the toss and was asked to bat first, with Caden and Bihela opening the batting. After playing and missing the first couple of deliveries, Caden got the innings up and running with some nice drives and pulls, to go with some good positive running.
Bihela added some boundaries of his own and things were progressing nicely at 19-0 from 3 overs until a couple of run outs derailed our good start, putting Old Basing right back into the game. Bihela retired after his allotted overs but, for once, the normally reliable Travis and Joby didn’t really trouble the scorers.
However, the team is made of stern stuff and Brin and Tom came to the crease and started to play some lovely shots against some good bowling. The new scoreboard started to rattle along with one of the shots of the day from Brin, a lovely lofted straight drive for 4.
Tom is a nuggety little cricketer, desperate to win and do well and showed good intent with good shots of his own and some assertive running and calling. Brin was unfortunate to the bowled and, when Tom retired, Jake and George O came out to bat. George contributed a rapid 8 before being dismissed and Jake was also unfortunate to be bowled before getting settled.
Then came George B and Finlay (playing his first game of the season), both of whom did very well to keep out the returning opening bowlers. Finlay played an important supporting role while George gathered some runs with some excellent guides (pleasing, as we had been working on this) and strong running. After George went, Finlay continued to offer good support to the returning Bihela and Tom.
We got to a good score of 132 from our 20 overs, a good effort. But would it be enough?
Opening bowlers Joby and Caden started well, Joby in particular troubling both opening batsmen with some quick, short stuff. Though completely accidental, Joby struck the forearm and side of one of the openers and showed the pace and aggression which all opening bowlers should have. Though we did not pick up a wicket in the opening spell, and both batsmen retired, the score was kept in check well.
The next pair came in and, almost immediately, we got a taste of what was to come, the Old Basing skipper playing some lovely attacking shots and reaching the boundary regularly. The score started to ratchet up and, by mid point, all was even-Stevens. We have a good, strong bowling line up and we began to pick up wickets and the fielding, as it has been recently, was top notch. Caden threw himself to his left to stop a certain boundary and the backing up and communication was good to see.
It was nip and tuck for a while but some intelligent bowling, field placings, and game management meant that 17 was needed from the last over. Ordinarily, the Oaks would be nailed on for a win but, as fate would have it, the Old Basing skipper came back in with 4 balls left.
The over was as good a display of Colts cricket as you could hope to see. The encouragement and commitment from the fielders went up a few levels and the excitement from the Old Basing players and supports went up too. Everyone knew that the game would be won or lost (or, in this case, tied) depending on how their skipper batted. And, all credit to him, he proceeded to hit a 6 and a 4 off the first 2 balls.
The next ball was a dot and was greeted with a roar from the Oakley fielders. Provided we did not bowl a no ball or a wide we couldn’t lose. Joby steamed in, bowled a good line and length and……….6! An absolutely glorious way to end a great game.
Although a little disappointed, really the phrase “cricket was the winner” was never more apt. Both sets of players shook hands and congratulated each other on a game well played. Meanwhile, Angus (the Old Basing coach) and I just looked at each other and smiled. It was especially nice to see the players stand together next to the scoreboard at the end for a great picture.
Personally speaking, I could not have been prouder of the lads today. The gave absolutely everything and the improvement from the start of the season (when they were quiet as church mice) is massive.
Overall
With 20 signed up under 13’s, we have an excellent mix of experienced players and those new to the game and learning new skills. Monday evening training sessions are good fun and we work hard on batting, bowling, and fielding. More recently we have worked on in-game management, being more vocal in the field, and the importance of attacking the ball when fielding.
I think it is fair to say that the start of the season was a little underwhelming with our approach to matches, particularly in the field and supporting each other. However, a few home truths after one of the matches and then before the next training session seems to have really paid off and the last 4 games have been exceptional.
I love coaching this age group and I know that Dave feels the same. We are lucky to have 20 great lads to coach and their progress this season has been a joy to watch. They should all be very proud of the improvements they have made and I think their hard work has set them up for continued success. I am looking forward to seeing them move into the under 15’s and, hopefully, into the adult’s set up.