Proud Coach Pete Holdaway reports on a thrilling match:
Thursday night at Hobbs Lane saw Barrow Gurney under 13s take Long Ashton to a last ball tie! The side which comprises of only one actual 13 year old in Cameron Bullock, who didn’t get in to bat on the night, have battled for two seasons against older counterparts. Now, though, the pendulum begins to swing the other way as their chastening experiences begin to pay dividends!
Long Ashton batted first led by a stylish opener in Dan Broome who batted some 13 overs for his 33 before retiring. At the other end his partners were kept quiet by a series of tight bowling by Melissa Owen. Isaac Todman, Leo Brace, Piers Price, Sarah and Laura Halladay, Ben Thorne and Cameron, with Melissa and Cameron taking wickets. At the end of 20 overs Long Ashton had totalled 98.
Barrow’s reply was led by Ben Thorne and Piers Price who put on 20+ before Piers lost his off stump to, probably, the ball of the night. Isaac and Laura followed in fairly quick order leaving Barrow quite handily placed on 68-3 off 15 overs. Ben Thorne batting in true opener style, playing sensibly but hitting the bad ball to the boundary. With 30 needed off 5 overs, enter Leo Brace who danced down to his first ball hitting back over the bowler’s head, prompting the coach to suggest having a look first, maybe !! Ben joined in collecting a couple of twos which were close to going to the boundary, and then the last over arrived with Barrow 92-3. Long Ashton went to Broome, who had previously bowled two maidens, for the last over. He bowled two dot balls to Ben and then a quick single brought Leo onto strike. Leo drove to mid off but couldn’t get the ball through. 2 balls and still 6 needed for victory. The next ball saw Leo pulling across the line and finding the square leg boundary for four. 2 required off the last ball. An edged delivery was followed by Ben running full pelt down the wicket calling ‘ y-eeee-s’ and Leo responding towards the bowler’s end, just making it. Scores tied on 98 apiece. Ben Thorne 20 n.o. Leo Brace 16 n.o.
The team have come a long way since last year, when nobody was 13, playing sides like Bristol, Old Bristolians and Bedminster . The experience gained eventually pays off and this is the beginning of phase 2 for this talented young team. And thanks to all the parents who support us so well and help with scoring and serving behind the bar etc.etc.