Ardleigh Green v Gidea Park & Romford CC U15 on Sun 23 Jul 2006 at 9.30am
Gidea Park & Romford CC Lost 18 Runs
Defeat for Park disguised a strong all round performance in this rare away game, contested by two evenly matched sides. GP&RCC's young team showed maturity and team spirit but fell just short as they struggled to raise the scoring rate midway through their innings.
The visitors got off to a dream start when David Brett's first ball of the innings bowled Taylor with a fine swinging yorker. Brett's combination of accuracy and swing was a constant threat and he finished with excellent figures of 1 for 4 off his full allocation of 4 overs. Despite their best fielding display of the season, Park were unable to claim the second wicket until Connor Halsey trapped Cason LBW with a fast straight ball for a stylish 26. Patel however went on to make an excellent, maiden U15 half century, before finally falling to a combination of Baxter's bowling and a smart catch behind the wicket by stand in keeper, Renvoize. Using his height to great effect, Baxter then also dismissed Jones second ball. However some powerful late hitting by Simmons set Park an imposing total.
Though Captain Adam McKie, who had bowled well again earlier, perished in the second over for 6, Halsey (24) and Tommy Stephens (22) fought back, displaying fine technique and determination. However too many good shots brought singles rather than boundaries to a well set field, and Park struggled to keep pace with the run rate. Unfortunately the introduction of Renvoize came too late for Park, yet he almost inspired a stunning finish with some brilliant hitting in a quick-fire 37 not out, continuing his superb 2006 batting form. It is likely that, had Renvioze been batted higher in the order, or if the match had been played in a longer format, Park would be celebrating a win instead.
Nevertheless there were plenty of positives, particularly in the fielding department, to take from a match where Park were missing some experienced players.
Gidea Park & Romford CC U15 Batting
111 for 3
Ardleigh Green Bowling
Ardleigh Green Batting
129 for 4
Gidea Park & Romford CC U15 Bowling