26th May
U13 v Penshurst
A tough game against a strong Penshurst side who won the toss and chose to bat despite another mp start following overnight rain. Accurate opening bowling from Ted and Sam P Speldhurst restricted scoring and were rewarded in the 4th over with Ted bowling the Penshurst opener to leave Penshurst 11-1.
With the Penshurst batters then looking to up the scoring rate and surviving a no. of tight singles despite good pressure in the field Speldhurst couldn’t quite execute from several run out opportunities, the 2nd opener eventually taking on 1 too many and run out leaving Penshurst 51-2 from the first 10 overs.
George then tempted the Penhurst no. 4 into driving but hitting straight to Ted at Mid-on who took the catch saw Penhurst 57-3.
Whilst Speldhurst continued to take wickets at regular intervals with Charlie, Jude, Rupert & Vincent all rewarded for some accurate bowling, some good batting from Penshurst saw them reach 91-4 of 15 and then accelerate to 141-6 from their 20 overs. But credit to all the Speldhurst bowlers for continuing to back themselves and responding with regular wickets against some very good batting. Only 6 wides from the 20overs reflecting the accuracy of Speldhurst’s bowling.
Chasing 142 to win, with the pitch starting to dry Speldhurst made a confident start, With first Vincent and then George supporting a fluent Ted and seeing Speldhurst reach 50 for the loss of only 1 wicket in the 7th over and looking on course to chase down Penshurst’s total. A change of bowlers for Penshurst saw both George and Charlie unluckily bowled by a couple that stayed low and with Ted retiring not-out having reached his 30, scoring became more difficult and despite some super lower order stroke play from Seb and Rupert Speldhurst fell just short of reaching 3 figures, closing on 95-7.
A few things to work on, but very proud of the team who continued to fight hard right up until the end.
https://speldhurst.play-cricket.com/website/results/6345702
19th May
U13 v Linden Park
Given the recent very heavy rain including Friday evening’s downpour, it was no surprise the wicket was a little damp first thing and even less surprise when Ted opted to bowl first after finally winning the toss!
The Speldhurst bowlers were quickly into their rhythm and making use of the tricky batting conditions with Avneesh & Sam P taking the new ball and bowling an accurate line outside off stump. Sam P taking 2 in 2 balls, bamboozling the LP batters with a couple of slower offcutters and unlucky to just miss out on a hatrick as a difficult catch didn’t quite go to hand in the field.
Similarly accurate bowling from Charlie Mac was rewarded with the LP batter chipping the ball straight to Sam at mid-off. Tight bowling coupled with an energetic Speldhurst fielding display, including a couple of great stops from Rowen and Leo protecting the leg side boundary, saw LP restricted to 15-3 from the first 8 overs.
Further super bowling from Charlie Mac, Sam C & Leo, all bowling good pace and length incl several close lbw shouts, and even a few optimistic ones (no names this time!), kept the field keen and the scoring tight as LP reached drinks at 35-3 from 12 overs. Miserly!
After drinks LP came out looking to up the scoring rate but a caught and bowled from Ted and a beauty from Wilf to bowl LPs opener reduced the batting side to 53-5 before George C on debut bowled a lovely spell, denied a wicket from a no-ball but then following up with 2 deliveries that dipped and spun past the bat taking wickets in consecutive deliveries and saw the 2nd close hatrick chance of the innings!
Speldhurst maintained the focus and energy in the field, with several close run outs and restricting LP to 62-7 from their 20 overs. A really super bowling and fielding team performance.
In reply Ted and Vincent looked to be positive, putting pressure on the LP bowlers and field with several quick singles and bringing up a quick 17 for the first wicket. Avneesh and Ted then carrying on the good scoring rate with a mix of smart singles and controlled hitting from Ted, retiring not out on 33. Avneesh then joined by Sam P, continued rotation of the strike and smart running between the wickets seeing Speldhurst reach their target part way through the 11th over. An impressive 8 wicket win with everyone contributing to a super team performance with ball, bat and in the field.
Whilst the scoreline perhaps looks one sided, this was competitive cricket with good cricket from both sides and Speldhurst put under pressure at times but coming back with the answers each time. Really impressive stuff – well played u13s!
https://speldhurst.play-cricket.com/website/results/6345700
12th May
U13 v Tunbridge Wells
Losing the toss for the 2nd week in a row, Speldhurst were again asked to bat first, openers Ted & Connor batting serenely in the warm sunny conditions, regularly rotating the strike with some smart singles and dispatching anything slightly wide to the boundary. Putting on 65 for the 1st wicket from 9 overs. Ted retiring on 33 and Connor reaching 20 including 1 beautiful 4 back over the bowler’s head.
Sam P was looking in good form with a 4 off of his first ball before a lovely cut shot unluckily picked out a TW fielder. George G and Avneesh then continued the good scoring rate with several boundaries, moving the scoreboard to 98 off 14 before a leading edge saw George caught at the 2nd attempt. A couple of quick wickets then saw Speldhurst 108-5 after 16 overs. Some tight bowling from Tunbridge Wells restricted Speldhurst to 14 from the final 4 overs, setting Tunbridge Wells 123 to win.
A quick tidy opening spell from Ted and Connor backed up by some sharp Speldhurst fielding restricted TW to only 8 runs from the opening 4 overs and set the tone for disciplined and accurate bowling & fielding display from Speldhurst.
Backed up by Avneesh and Charlie beating the outside edge several times without reward before Avneesh knocked over the TW opener’s stumps with a fuller ball.
Leo and Arthur then bowled a terrific spell taking 2 for 6 and 1 for 9 respectively, including 2 wickets in 2 balls for Leo, with continued fine effort from Speldhurst in the field leaving TW 40-4 from their first 10 overs.
Captain Ted then turned to the spin duo of George G and Will, both turning the ball past the outside edge regularly. George picking up 2 for 10 with 1 bowled and 1 very smart stumping from Sam P. The TW batters somehow surviving a super spell from Will at the other end but leaving TW 82-6 from 17.
Lovely line and length from Jago then restricted TW to 2 runs from the 18th over. Rapid bowling from Jude was unlucky to go for 3 consecutive boundaries before a beautiful response saw the TW batter’s furniture re-arranged, followed up by 2 dot balls with TW finishing on 103-7. Speldhurst getting the league season off to a well deserved 19 run win.
A super performance to kick off the league season and another very enjoyable match with some fine cricket from both teams and played in a super spirit. Looking fwd to a super summer of cricket!
Speldhurst Cricket Club 