Another very busy week for our Junior teams, managers and parents/chauffeurs.
Our Under-9s went to Goresbrook for a tricky match in what is always a closely contested contest whatever the age. However an excellent all-round effort saw Park prevail in Terrier format by 37 runs. Scores on the board were Goresbrook 295 for 13 (nett 230) and Park 307 for 8 (nett 275). The youngsters are improving all the time and we look forward to their future development in the game.
The Under-11 side looked to face two difficult games this week.
The first was a MET league game against Wanstead & Snaresbrook at Fairlop. Over 16 overs, captain Usman elected to field and in a terrific bowling performance, managed to keep the score down to 331 for 7, a nett score of 275. Hats off to both Usman and Zac for three wickets apiece.
In reply, Park were solid in the pairs and totalled an excellent 331 for 6, a nett 288 and winning by 13 runs. Great effort! They now sit just off the top of the league and have a good match planned for this evening, against Oakfield Parkonians at Fairop.
In their second match of the week, Park hosted Harold Wood in a local derby.
Another terrific performance with bat and ball saw the home side record 359 for 5, nett 334, versus a reply of 317 for 9, nett 272. A really excellent week for the 11s and we trust they will continue this great run.
Our Under-13s started a busy few days with a tricky tie against title-holders Frentford at Fairlop.
Winning and electing to bat, Park saw two partnerships of over 20 runs, James and Dylan top-scoring with 26 runs off the bat with Aryan and George T chipping in with 20. However, against a well-drilled side the question was whether 302 for 4 (nett 270) was enough.
The defending champions struck up a number of excellent partnerships - 30, 20, 27, 33 - and despite running and trying all the way through tremendously hot conditions, were just too strong on this occassion.
On Sunday, they were able to obtain a game against welcoming club West Essex in Chingford.
In hot conditions, Park opted to bat first and were unlucky to be a couple down in five overs.
Despite an excellent 25 not out (retired) from Yash and 18 from James, the total after 22 overs was just 95 for 8, not impossible but a tough score to defend in these conditions.
Defending, Park saw seven of their bowlers give away less than 10 runs, whilst Dev starred with two for 12 runs. Two terrific catches from Zak (caught & bowled and at deep square leg) and a clever stumping were unfortunately not enough as the home side reached their target in 15 overs for the loss of four wickets.
This was a better performance than it looked and whilst the players were a tad tired and down, we looked forward to the game against Buckhurst Hill.
Playing 'Hill' is always a pleasure, their players and management always enthusiastic and welcoming and the game was played in the right spirit, this time reversing the usual order so that the more experienced players went at the end.
A good all-round bowling effort kept the home side to 98 for 4 with Zain starring with one maiden and one wicket for three runs, and Aryan chipping in last with two wickets for five.
Needing around five runs an over, Park saw three players depart with ducks but a steady stream of runs throughout allowed the final four batsmen to increase the rate and nab the target by the end of the 17th over. An excellent effort given the amount of games played over the last few days and the conditions - onwards!
Unfortunately, our under-15 side wasn't able to field a full side for the intended game against Upminister but a few days before took on another local rival, Rainham.
In a terrific match all-round by both teams, Park set a target of 71 and despite an excellent bowling effort, were just overhauled in the 17th over. Another improved effort and all looks good for our future games!
Please see our news item on this week's fixtures, come along and support - or even join us!