Upminster "A" v Gidea Park & Romford CC U15 on Sun 27 Aug 2006 at 9.30am
Gidea Park & Romford CC Lost 6 wickets
After several weeks without a competitive match , the last team we needed to face was a strong Upminster A team on their own patch. With a strong batting line up Park were asked to bowl which is a choice we would have made anyway, but things did not quite go to plan. Waleed Wain bowled a quick and hostile first two overs, but poor Tom Stephen, troubled by four no balls in his first over, was hit around by the Upminster openers for 26. Upminster then feasted on much of what was offered up, but Park battled on bravely and restricted a score that at one time looked like 235 to 175. Renvoize bowled excellently for perhaps the first time this year, but it wasn't enough sadly. The flow of runs stemmed a little as Jenkins the opening bat retired on 55 after just 10 overs. Followed in by the no.3 who retired on 20. Park plugged away and as usual Anaurag Sharma picked up two wickets, including a fine stumping by Halsey. A few chances were missed, but mostly those that were coming out of the sun in fairness. Tom Stephen and Chris Lamb fielded well again and really make a difference. When Park batted, the experiment of having Lloyd open misfied as he was bowled first ball playing all round a good yorker. Waleed, who was our only hope of scoring at the pace we needed to was then given LBW ? after adding just 7. Adam was well caught in the covers after striking a rare full toss with some venom, so all in all we weren't getting the best of the fortune around. Connor had a flourish with a fine quickfire 17, supported by Andrew Jones (11) but the introduction of some spin saw Andrew hit a tame catch to mid-on and Connor was well stumped by Upminsters excellent wicket keeper. Batsmen came and went with reasonable regularity and only Tom Stephen, top scoring with a fine 30, made any inroads, always a pleasure to see Tom play, great spirit, energy and no lack of talent, and after his disappointing bowling spell he showed great temperament to bat so well. A disappointing way to end the season, but nonetheless the boys have been coming up against teams of palyers a year older than them in many cases, so next year I hope we'll see some more victories and the translation of some of the undoubted talent into application and results.
Gidea Park & Romford CC U15 Batting
104 for 10
Upminster "A" Bowling
Upminster "A" Batting
175 for 4
Gidea Park & Romford CC U15 Bowling