Pete Holdaway reports as the Under 13s play Barrow’s first cricket of the season:
The season for the Colts kicked off with a cup tie against near neighbours Wrington. The visitors won the toss and invited Barrow to bat first, whereupon Ben Thorne and Piers Price strode out to open the innings. A steady start saw Barrow progress to 10 off 4 overs before Ben misjudged a swinging delivery from Bryant. Piers and Oscar Todman carried on in the same vein- slowly but surely until one lifted a little off a length and Piers nicked it behind. The next two wickets fell rather quickly as two balls from the village end bounced twice and accounted for Cameron and Leo. Laura Halladay batted correctly and quietly until the last over when she swung for the team and gave her wicket away, bringing in Lucas Tait to join Oscar, who was busy giving a master class in batting at the other end and both finished not out at the end of 18 overs. Barrow 52-5.
Wrington’s tall openers started watchfully as Isaac Todman bowled an almost immaculate 2 overs for 3 runs and 1 no ball, almost bowling both openers in the process. At the other end, Melissa, unusually, was unable to find her line and length despite her best attempts. Leo took over and immediately bowled Mills with an inswinging Yorker and then Pope succumbed to Piers putting Wrington 38-2. Cameron and Leo couldn’t contain the free-flowing Luck who finished on 12 not out as Wrington reached their target.
This was a serious performance from the team showing many improvements from last season. The bowling was generally extremely good and the batting was confident and correct if a little slow (better safe than sorry though) and of course, our big hitters got out early. I thought the fielding was superb from everyone including great backing-up from Sarah Halladay and Melissa (something not everyone notices) and good ground fielding from Leo who turned a full-blooded certain four into just a single. Thank you to Luke Thorne who fielded at long-stop at both ends all evening and didn’t bat! – you will next time, and to Sarah Halladay who was next on to bowl as Wrington won. Again, you will bowl/bat next time Sarah.
Next week we’re home to Cleeve in the league.