U11 match reports

The Season Summary - What a Great Season !!

We had zero expectation at the beginning of the year and the facts read : Played 10 - Won 2, Drew 2 and lost 6. (but 2 of these could have been won)

For a team where the majority of players were 3+ years under age, we did really well to be competitive and we were in every game. Our older players grew during the season and I am hopeful that they may gain district honours next year. We played with great spirit and a smile which was refreshing as not every team did !! We also played the game where everybody had a go and regardless of ability our boys were going to have 2 overs each. This may cost us a game or two but I will not change on this. If an under 11 turns up they get as good a game as the next man (boy).

The one area we need to work on is running ... The batting and bowling and to a certain degree fielding is really improving.

Next year we will have two teams .... one like this year and another for our up and comers in Kwik cricket. Although we are about involvement I would like to think we will at least half next year.

In September we will have an end of year presentation to celebrate an excellent season. Jim to advise all.

Finally, a big thanks to the supporters who were the best in the league and coaches and parents for helping make it all happen with cups of tea, transport and scoring.

The players who played during the season were :- Ben Ream, James Ream, Ieuan Edwards, Josh Wynne, Alex Mallice, Peter Dobson, Jack Wright, Toby Hall, Max Hunt, Luke Simpson, Rhys Ashford, Jordan Dewhurst, William Trower and Charlie Kirkland.

Season Ender 24/7/11 - Who Cares !!!

We had a game amongst ourselves to end the season which we made up up of 9 per side with some help from some under 13's. The game went to the final ball with Team A beating Team B by one run 62 to 61. The details are irrelevant other than a nice sunny day.

I know I shouldn't, but I will, our season's triumph was marked by Noah Peart. At the beginning of the year he could only throw the ball half the length of the pitch and by Sunday was bowling 19 yards with a straight arm with no wides in two overs. Not too shabby if you are 7 !!

The season summary is above.

Deddington v MSL 17/7/11 - Rained Off

Banbury v MSL 10/7/11 - lost by 27 Runs (269 played 242)

More good than bad but a bit of a mixed day as we turned up to Banbury on a lovely sunny day to enjoy their fabulous facilities. Having won the return match we were hopeful but Banbury fielded 4 from their first team who in most cases were a head higher than our lads.

The point of this was they had strength where ours did not and in each partnership had a lad who could hit the ball hard. Our fielding was quite good without being brilliant but Jordan did some excellent stops and as the score progressed in each partnership we took 2 wickets - Josh bowling the opening batsman and Jack achieving the same feat ..... his first wicket. We contributed too many wides but with 3 players playing only their second game we should not be totally surprised.

In batting, Ben and Josh went out to bat against the best bowling and Ben was very unfortunate to be bowled by a grubber .... one that went along the floor and on another day the umpire (Jim) might have called a no ball. Nevertheless, they did well as we scored 9. Jordan and Jack then went into bat and whilst they both batted well ...... their running was not great ...... more practice needed as the score went back to 4. In this cricket not getting out is important and to give 3 easy run outs makes it difficult. However, we are learning and if we learn from it then a good experience. The important bit was the bit with the wood was good !! and easier to teach running than batting. Then came an excellent partnership between Rhys and Charlie as they put on 15 with a mixture of good shots, wides and some pretty good running ..... which then leads to James and Peter .... wow they did well as they added 23 for one out ... an unfortunate clip on the leg stump for James. What was most impressive was their running, clear shouting and decent shots.

So one more to go to end our terrific season .... away to Deddington and then one last game for us all at home and if we do not have enough players we will have the Dads playing !! Watch out Dads.

Cropredy v MSL 3/7/11 - lost by 22 Runs (260 played 238)

Another good day despite the result. We played a strong Cropredy side who had the return of 3 district players.

We won the toss and invited Cropredy to bat and they got off to a flyer with 30 off the first 4 overs. We then upped our game and James got the first of his 2 clean bowled's. This boy is looking good and looked every measure of the district boys and he has another year on his side. We fielded like demons and there were at least 4 direct hits with throws which on another day could have led to run outs. We bowled too many wides which was disappointing but hey ho that is the thrill of under 11 cricket.

We batted really well with a couple of sillies. Ben and Josh were excellent as they put on 11 with Ben getting a silly !! clean bowled. In came Ieuan and Alex and again they batted well with Alex also earning a silly but nevertheless they put on 7. In came perhaps the partnership of the day in Jack and James. Undefeated .... for 8 runs which cost the coach a drink and lots of courage from Jack as he faced the 'fastest bowling ever' but he still kept them out. Then William and Toby .... William to a silly and Toby to a Jaffa but also some lovely straight shots and lots of style.

We have Banbury this week away and look forward to performing well again. The most pleasing aspect has been the way we have played this season, which has been to our full ability, with the exception of Byfield batting. Let's keep it going and end in style over the alst 2 games.

MSL v Cropredy 26/6/11 - lost by 12 Runs

A very proud day for the coaches as we played the best team in the division and acquitted ourselves creditably.

We were sent into bat and Josh and Ben put on a very steady 7 but were not out against some good bowling. They were followed by Peter and Max who still managed 4 despite a run out. In came Charlie and Ieuan and they put on 3 with no outs. Charlie really was fantastic on his debut and showed great temperment for a lad of 7. They were followed by James and Alex who put on 4 despite Alex being bowled. This was hard cricket on a wet pitch where the ball did not roll far and a credit to the attitude that the boys stuck with it.

We then went to field and boy were we good. James got a wicket caught by his brother and then Max, the fastest bowler in the west, not for speed but he can bowl an over in 90 seconds !! bowled one and the first pair put on 11. The second pair put on 3 as ieuan clean bowled one and then 2 were put on by the third pair as we kept it tight.

The last pair went in and despite a James and a Josh wicket, a couple of tough missed catches and Croperdy got to 30. We were complimented for our fine bowling and fielding and I liked the gritty batting.

Well done to all and off to Croperdy next week for the return match.

Jim

Byfield v MSL 19/6/11 - lost by 16 Runs

You know when we are getting better when we all feel so disappointed after losing a close game. This includes parents and boys alike.

Byfield batted first and the bowling was very accurate with only 7 wides in 16 overs. The fielding was excellent with Peter being chirpy and backing up and Josh and the Ream boys diving around and stopping the ball plus Toby making a tremendous effort to catch a ball which was hit very hard but stopped 3 runs. Max was solid and Jack got the knack of walking in. Wickets were taken by James, Ben and Josh and Byfield batted very correctly to score 239. So well done both teams. The MSL coaches were very pleased as by far our best fielding and Rhys kept very well as he looked the most clean and 'there's tidy' cricketer on the field.

So off we went to bat and all was well with the first pair as Ben and Josh scored 13 despite Ben bowled by a super ball. The lesson from these two was not learnt as they did not panic when a wicket fell and they just batted.

So in went Peter and Max and for 2 overs they were great when a near wide went to the boundary and Max forgot to run. Unfortunately, Max in a panic was bowled but nevertheless Peter and Max put on 8. So at halfway it was still on.

In went Rhys and Jack .... Both batted well and kept the ball out but Jack decide to run for the glorious cover drive that went straight to cover and Rhys had no chance. Jack also did a Max panic and was bowled but their crowning moment was the final ball where they managed to run 2. When you have pads bigger than the batsman this is no mean achievement and the score was 224.

16 to win from our final pair with no need to panic .... well it worked for an over ... as Toby and James put on 5 but then James had a Kamikase run and a bowled and we were struggling. A good 15th over and we needed 14 off the last over. Toby was bowled as he tried to hit big but it did not matter as we finished on 223.

So I think Byfield will always be the game where we remind ourselves that sometimes you have to be a little cute, not run on the shot and play for the long run and not for the short term.

Peter still has not forgiven the coach for the LBW that was never given but that's life ... a BIG THANKS to our parents for their support, we might not win the league but we do bring the biggest crowds. Slightly frustrating but quote of the day goes to Simon Ream .....' James has ruined my Father's Day !!'. A good laugh had by all and next week away to Croperdy ... the best team in the league but if Man U can lose to Wolves at home then ...... who knows.

MSL v Radway 12/6/11 - Rained off

Jack and Peter second game running game off when selected. Poor old Charlie robbed of a debut.

Deddington v MSL 5/6/11 - Lost by 69 runs

Sometimes you just have to accept the other team is better and this was one of those occasions. They were not so much better than us but 2 to 3 years older per man and we struggled against their strength and speed. Do I think we will be as good as them when we are that age .... most definitely.

I do not want to dwell on the score too much .... they scored 273 but lets look at what we did well. Star catch was Max Hunt who held a catch way above his shoulder and for his pleasure got a lovely seam mark on the chin. Rhys keeping wicket for the first time did really well with lots of good stops and very few byes. The bowling was accurate. Both of the Reem boys made some splendid saves in the field and Mick McCarthy will now want to sign them up. Josh was vocal in the field and kept the men geed up. Both Jack and William had their moments in the field and Toby made a couple of good stops as well.

The big difference though was in the bowling. These boys were fast. Some of our technique was a little out but no one was frightened and all had a go. Everyone played as a team and although we finished with a score of 204, we finished with a flourish as James hit a great 4 on the last ball. Experience, strength and speed were what won the day. The up points were we backed up better, were keener in the field and we ran better than the other games.

We also had the best supporters, won another team over to cone conversion and a good day was had by all with lots of smiles. I left the game as a proud coach as everyone had given their all. Here's to next week and Radway at home.

Jim 

MSL v Culworth 29/5/11 - Culworth could not raise a  team. MSL win.

I did offer three players but they still could not make a team ... frustrating but always next week.

MSL v Horley 22/5/11 - So near, so far, ifs, buts, maybes and ..... not quite. - Loss by 2 runs

We played against a Horley team who were on average two years older a man and we had 3 guys making their debut. Well we ran them close and by the suggestion of the headline we came mighty close with a last ball finish.

Horley batted first as Josh put them into bat and Horley batted very well and we could not get them out. Again our discipline was very good with the ball as we bowled nice and straight and bowled few wides. We only got one wicket which was by James Ream in the last over but a score of 246 was possible. This was also no mean feat as our boys struggled to reach the one end as the wind was so strong.

The fielding was very good with Max Hunt being my star performer looking ever alert. Luke Simpson did well behind the stumps as he had a nasty knock to his knee.

So off we went to bat .... with Josh Wynne and Ben Ream. Boy did they bat well, good shots, great calling, fast running. A model partnership as they scored 16. Next in were Alex School-House and Jordan Dewhurst, who started off nervously but kept going and got stronger as they became more confident. They managed to put on 6 despite both being out once as they both ran hard. Then the rookie pair to bat in Luke and Max ..... a silly couple of run outs to start with as they got used to the game but some beautiful blocks from Luke with a good eye on the ball, high forearm ...... must be a Banbury Guardian Reader !!! and a lovely 4 from Max and we finished on 30 so all to play for. In came James Ream and Ieuan Edwards .... sometimes we looked like we might ..... sometimes not .... straight bowling, straight shots and we needed 6 to tie and 7 to win off the last over. The coaches called a time out for the teams so that we could let them play out a determined final over and we managed 4 so lost by 2 to end on 244.

As can be seen above we scored more than Horley but 4 outs to 1 cost us but the great thing was our boys learnt and improved as the game went on and no one was clean bolwed which is a sign of good batting .... a bit more experience and we will win games like this. So two games in and we have been an absolute credit to the club.

As coach I am very proud of the boys efforts, but, we still need to carry on improving as despite our rotation we can still win games. 2 areas to concentrate on .... running between the wickets .... and being more lively in the field .... be like Max and look for the ball.

Well done ..... have a great week and see you at nets on Friday at 5.45pm.

MSL v Banbury 15.05.11

MSL win by 50 runs!

Under 9's festival

Well we went off to Cropredy for our first festival against Cropredy, Radway and Banbury well armed with supporters, beers, rosé, soft drinks and a bucketful of sunshine. Like Fabio Capello, I felt we were on for a 100% record but unlike him I was delighted to be proved wrong as we won one of our three games.

First up, were Cropredy and we won the toss and decided to bat. We were magnificent as we batted all 6 overs without losing a wicket and scoring 42 runs. Too many highlights to mention .... but we'll give it a go .... Max clugging the bowling for 2 consecutive fours, Rhys blocking and then suddenly whacking a beauty, Jordan smashing the ball to all parts and tripping over with his excitement, Peter playing an on drive that his father has never managed in 30 years and there were more .... so we then bowled and bowled well we did ... but the fielding was even better as they got 219. Ben and James each took a good catch, William bowled really tightly and Jack took a wicket as he bowled his opposite number. So all in all, everyone performed and a great evening was had.

The next two games were not quite so special as we lost to Banbury and Radway but we still managed positive scores and kept fighting to the end, with some determined bowling, fielding and batting. Much of this against kids who were 2 years older. I think we all agreed it was a great night out and were delighted with the boys efforts.

A big thank you to the Mums and Dads, fellow coaches, Grandparents and a special mention to Neil Lake who was inspired by Jordan, to prove that Jordan is not the only all rounder in the family. A proud day for the coaches.

Jim

Marston vs. Banbury

It was a beautiful evening for the first home game of the season and the boys were pretty confident going into the game on the back of last week's success. However, opposition like Banbury are never easy based on the size of their club and squad depth. Again we were to play the game a player short which when you only have 8 in a team at this age is quite a difference. Marston batted first with the first pair opening steadily and not getting out, the second pair of Scott and Tom continued in a steady fashion until Marstons only wicket fell when Tom was caught and bowled. With the score on 209 after 8 overs, it looked to be a tight match. The next batsmen Ben Easterbrook clearly had decided that it was time to start scoring and with some great batting (including a lovely 4) scored 9 and brought the total to 220 before the last pair of Tom Casey and Josh Easterbrook came to the crease. It was clear that these two wanted to continue from what Ben had started and in no time at all were quickly scoring freely with some beautiful boundaries and running between the wickets, Josh (6) and Tom (14) brought the innings total to 273 for 1. This was a fantastic batting performance and really gave the bowlers something to defend.

Matthew opened the bowling in a sensible tight approach and gained an early wicket, Scott continued the theme, also getting a wicket in his opening over. Matthew's next over included another wicket and some superb fielding from Liam for a run out ( a great throw to the wicket keepers gloves from a long way out). Tom Casey and Scott continued with some very tight economical bowling. Both Ben and Tom Scott had a spell which saw Ben gain a wicket from some great fielding and Tom Scott after running away from the first catching opportunity!!! took a fantastic caught and bowled. However, it was Matthew Scott that managed to kill the game for Banbury in his second spell of clean bowling to take three wickets in his next over (is that a hatrick?) That was defiantly game over as Banbury finished on 205. The man of the match was Matthew Scott with a fantastic bowling performance but a special mention to Tom Casey for some excellent captaincy and Scott for some very enthusiastic fielding. 2 out of 2 well done boys!

Radway vs. Marston

The boys first game of the season was away at Radway, a beautiful setting and a great ground. Matthew lost the toss and Marston were put into bat. Ben and Liam opened in a very safe and steady manner with neither players getting out with some great defensive shots. The second pair, Thomas and Scott came to the crease and started attacking the game with a few boundaries. This included one from Tom for his first 'four' of his career, unfortunately a few balls later he was caught out. The next pair was Josh and Liam again (as we were a player short), they clearly decided to build on the fact that only one wicket had been lost and between them played a series of attacking shots earning them several boundaries. The final pair, Tom Casey and Matthew clearly faced Radway's best bowlers, but they managed to see the team through with some steady scoring and more importantly not getting out. Marston finished on 262 -1.

After a quick turn around as we were losing daylight rapidly, confirmed by the fact that a barn owl was hunting virtually in the cricket field! Radway got off to a good start helped by 8 byes in the first few balls. Clearly being a player short does make a difference when fielding but the bowling calmed down and there was some great straight deliveries from Matthew, Scott, Liam and Tom Casey. Unfortunately though the overs ticked by and the wickets would not fall. It was then turn for Ben to bowl and his first ball was a beauty, clean bowling the batsmen in true text book fashion, he continued his spell with some very economical bowling. Marston in the end won by 19 runs with only one wicket being lost by each team. Congratulations to Ben for being Darren's 'man of the match'.