Another busy week for our junior teams despite some inclement weather.
Here is a round-up of how our younger members performed.
Our Under-9 team continue to thrive as they improve in every aspect. Results are not the be-all-and-end-all at this stage of their development but they will have been very happy with their two performances.
Firstly, the year 4 players took part in a transition match with our year 5 (under-11) so they could be introduced to hard-ball cricket, many for the first time. We look forward to seeing their progression as they rise up the age groups from next month.
The under-9 side produced a high-quality team effort on Sunday, beating Orsett by a large margin in a softball game, before the elder members took on their first hardball match a day later against Buckhurst Hill. Despite a narrow loss the experience is sure to do them good and will be the start of some good work through winter nets (fingers crossed) and beyond.
Our Under-11 side had their MET league fixture abandoned last Wednesday but took on Orsett last Sunday. Unfortunately, Park were not at their best between the wickets but, as is often the case, will have learned a lot from this defeat as they showed with a 45-run victory against Rainham last night (Tuesday).
Having been involved with our transition year-6/year-7 game last Friday I can confirm that the future is bright for Park, certainly with next year's under-13 squad. For now, our current 13s are taking part in the MET Jeff Rodrigues Trophy and were very unfortunate not to come away with their third victory in five games.
Put into bat by Buckhurst Hill, the four partnerships (eight players in a terrier style format) all played well in contributing double-figure runs off the bat. Highlights included the undefeated Arayan and Shae (17) and James and Dev (27) and whilst the run rate slowed towards the end there was nothing wrong with the score of 95 for four (nett 263)
Bowling into fading light Park started brightly, keeping a couple of previous high-scoring batsmen down to single figures, but unfortunately just let the game slip through the final couple of overs, eventually being defeated by just seven runs. What could have been!
Undeterred, the team travelled to Central Park last Sunday to take on Ardleigh Green 'A' in a more traditional format. Reports suggest this was a tremendous match, with high quality cricket all round and a great finish!
Bowling first, Park's highlights included no bowler going for more than eleven runs, with Yasin (2 for 10) and Cameron (2 for 0 off just six balls) being the starred efforts. However, every aspect of the fielding was praised with Aryan, Zak, George T, James and Fred contributing a wicket a piece all helping keep the home total down to 78 for nine.
In reply, Park started brightly but with one eye on retirements (agreed to allow all players to bat) the game progressed to needing a single run off the final ball. With already solid performances from Sam and Fred, Cam was entrusted with bringing it 'home' and he duly did the job, finishing the game with 12 not out. By all accounts this was as good a game for the current team managers as one from the annals nearly three years ago - 'proper cricket', as Bumble might say.
Onwards we go so please see our fixture list for this week's fixtures.