On a glorious May evening the U12B team had its opener for the season against Chalfont St Peter (CSP). We had a number of debutants, David and Aryan playing their first ever matches, Jack B first ever captaincy and pretty much everyone going to have to get used to full rules of "when you are out you are out"!

We started well, Jack losing the toss but CSP decided to bowl, we would have batted so it was like winning the toss really! (well done Jack)
I must admit I thought we might get off to a slightly quicker start, I think after 7 overs we were on 8 runs which in a T20 match is definitely a careful start! I packed the top order with U12 rugby players, who I have seen smash through defences in the winter, but were much more careful with the willow in hand. Slowly though we started to pick up momentum. Captain Jack came out and called and ran well with Ed Baker, who scored a nice 12 and we had moved along to 36-4 from 12 overs. I was starting to think we would reach 50! 

Actually we surpassed 50 easily, with Ben and Tilak putting on an unbeaten partnership of 20 in the last 3 overs to see us reach 76 for 8, Ben top scoring with 14no.

As usual though special mention must go to the extras column which offered up 31 wides without which we would have been in a spot of bother!

After drinks and a few biscuits we took the field knowing that 76 was not a massive score to defend and we need to take wickets. And take them we did! Mohit produced an over taking 3 wickets in 4 balls (his hat trick ball being a shocking wide, pressure got to him me thinks!) with Ed taking 1 the other end CSP were rocking at 15 for 4. Slowly but surely though CSP pulled it back together. With some lusty blows and good defence they were always ahead of the run rate. Could we take enough wickets though? They lost another at 27, then the 6th wicket went down at 45, the 7th at 58 but when they reached 73 for 7 in the 16th over, needing just 4 to win up stepped Jamie Berry. 6 balls later they had 2 runs but had lost 2 more wickets - it was on a knife edge - they were 75-9, they needed 2 runs, we needed 1 wicket. Up stepped Freddie, still smarting at the fact he hadn't had a bat.  They sneaked a single off the first ball, scores level...Freddie did everything he could, he found the edge but it went in between our 2 fielders and off for the single to win the match for CSP.

If every U12B match offers us this much drama & new experiences for the boys we will have a great season, win or lose every match. 

We spoke afterwards about what lessons we could learn, and that everyone knew they could have done 1-2 things slightly better, which when put together across the team would have made a big difference. 

Many thanks to Alison for providing much needed drinks and nibbles, and Michele for scoring. 

Until the next one...