County Under 13 Results
ECB Quarter Final - Wiltshire v Middlesex - Thursday 23rd July
Wiltshire travelled to Merchant Taylor’s School near Rickmansworth to play Middlesex in the quarter final of the ECB County Cup. The weather forecast was one of potential heavy showers. After inspecting the wicket and winning the toss Wiltshire elected to bowl first. It was clear from the outset that Middlesex were a strong side. Neither of Wiltshire’s opening bowlers looked likely to take a wicket. However in the 4th over a sharp piece of fielding by Tom Whittaker brought a run out. That brought Robbie White to the crease and together with the other opener, Bradley Erasmus they built a potentially match winning partnership. All the Wiltshire bowlers struggled to control the run rate with every bad ball being punished. The pick of the Wiltshire attack was Kieran Gibson who bowled 7 overs, 2 maidens, taking 1 wicket and conceding 28 runs.
By the 20th over Middlesex had reached 92 for 1 and by the 30th 171 for 1. The battle was on to restrict the total to one that Wiltshire could chase down. The openers Dan Holewell and Joe Clare did manage to take a wicket each and with a further run out Middlesex reached 255 at the end of their allotted 40 overs with Robbie White completing a fine century.
Wiltshire now new the size of the task ahead of them – to score at over 6 an over to take them through to the finals. It did not start well with James Gillespie dismissed early on. The fall of the wicket brought Tom Alsop to the crease who had been in fine form in the two previous games. Tom and Jack Hurley built a solid partnership and at the end of the 20th over had reached 89 for 1 and still very much in the game. Wiltshire now had to accelerate. Tom Alsop completed a fine half century before falling caught and bowled in the very next over for 55.
The pressure of keeping up with the required run rate began to tell and Wiltshire were unable to build another significant partnership. Jack Hurley completed his half century before falling LBW for 58 in the 35th over.
Wiltshire were finally all out for 173 in the 38th over losing by 82 runs. It was no disgrace. The team completed hard but had to concede victory on the day to a stronger side. However the squad has grown and developed over the season able to compete in all the disciplines. We move on to a final game v Dorset on Wednesday 29th July and want to end the season on a high note
Wiltshire lose by 82 runs
WILTSHIRE V OXFORDSHIRE - SUNDAY 12TH JULY
Wiltshire advanced to the quarter finals of the ECB County Cup with a comprehensive victory over Oxfordshire. The game was played at Great Tew Cricket Club who are to be congratulated in enabling the game to go ahead. The overnight rain was particularly heavy and as we drove through the Cotswolds to the ground the rain clouds were still in evidence. However the square and wicket had been completely covered and as the 1.00pm start time neared the clouds lifted and the sun began to shine
Wiltshire won the toss and asked Oxfordshire to bat. The two opening bowlers Dan Holewell and Joe Clare bowled excellent lines supported by a tight fielding ring that restricted Oxfordshire to 26 for 1 after 8 overs. Indeed the fielding unit was to play an important part in the match as Wiltshire continued to apply pressure to the Oxfordshire batsmen. The opening batsman was run out with the score on 75 in the 19th over taking a risky second run to Tom Whittaker. Kieran Gibson and Joe Clare also combined superbly for a run out as Oxfordshire again tried to force a second run.
After 30 overs Oxfordshire had reached 128 for 4 and were looking for a score in excess of 200. Wiltshire continued to apply pressure and restricted Oxfordshire to 199 for 7 after 40 overs with Joe Clare being the pick of the Wiltshire bowlers completing his 8 overs taking 3 for 37 supported by Harry Brothwood who completed his 8 overs in one spell taking one wicket for 22 runs.
The Wiltshire batsmen knew they had to score 200 to win the match, finish top of their group and advance to the quarter finals. The two openers Jack Hurley and James Gillespie provided a solid base but both had been dismissed by the 14th over with the score on 57. This brought together Tom Alsop and Luke Hansford for the defining partnership of the game. Together they added 131 in 16 overs with Tom falling for a superb 96 with 13 runs required to win the match. Luke Hansford remained unbeaten on 62 (a maiden 50 for the county side) hitting 3 fours in the 32nd over to win the game.
Both Tom and Luke batted with real intelligence, taking the available singles and rotating the strike, as the field was pushed back to try to stop the steady stream of boundaries. They took the game away from Oxfordshire who had no answer to their clean hitting.
Congratulations to the whole side that can now look forward to the prospect of a quarter final against Middlesex on the 26th July
Wiltshire win by 7 wickets
WILTSHIRE V GLOUCESTERSHIRE - SUNDAY 5TH JULY
Wiltshire got their season back on track with a comprehensive victory over Gloucestershire in the Under 13’s Cup on Sunday. The game was played at Purton Cricket Club, a very picturesque ground with an exceptional square and a lightening fast outfield.
Wiltshire won the toss and elected to field first. The decision paid off with 2 quick wickets from Dan Holewell and Kieran Gibson reducing Gloucestershire to 29 for 2 after 8 overs. Wiltshire remained in control with excellent spells from Arun Leyhal (6 overs for 7 runs including 3 maidens) and Harry Brothwood (6 overs for 18 runs) leaving Gloucestershire on 117 for 2 after 30 overs. Clearly Gloucestershire needed to accelerate to set a realistic target but after a partnership of 139 they lost both of their set batsmen with Matt Rushmere, making his debut for Wiltshire, taking three quick wickets.
Gloucestershire completed their 40 overs on 168 for 5 leaving Wilshire to make 169 to win.
The plan for the Wiltshire openers was to see off the new ball attack, establish a solid base and allow the middle order to chase down the runs. This was disrupted in the first over when James Gillespie was hit in the ribs and had to retire hurt. It brought Tom Alsop to the crease who had his own ideas on how to chase down the runs. From the outset Tom was aggressive driving powerfully down the ground. With support from Jack Hurley, Luke Hansford and Brandon Ward, Wiltshire advanced remorselessly on their target reaching 72 for 1 off 10 overs and 132 for 3 after 20. James Gillespie rejoined Tom Alsop at the crease at the fall of the third wicket and watched from the other end as Tom completed his century off 71 balls in the 23rd over ending up on 114 not out (off 86 balls) as Wiltshire cruised to victory in the 25th over. It was a magnificent chanceless innings from Tom that capped a splendid day for Wiltshire. As a fielding and bowling unit they had restricted Gloucestershire to a small total and the batsmen, chased down the runs with ease.
Wiltshire win by 7 wickets and move on to face Oxfordshire on Sunday 12th July with the prospect of a place in the quarter finals to the winners
WILTSHIRE V CARDIFF AND VALE - SUNDAY 21ST JUNE
The Under 13’s endured a disappointing day in Wales on Sunday. We arrived hoping to build on the fine win against the Isle of Wight and to prepare for the next cup game against Gloucestershire on the 5th July. The decision was taken to bat after winning the toss on a wicket that appeared to be “low and slow” and was only going to deteriorate as the day progressed.
The two openers Jack Hurley and James Gillespie saw off the new ball attack but could not push on leaving Wiltshire 34 for 0 after 15 overs. Acceleration was need but Wiltshire instead lost both openers leaving Brandon Ward to rebuild the innings before being given out LBW for the top score of 24. The only other double figure scores were Jack Hurley 22 and Arun Leyhall 12.
Wiltshire were dismissed for 128 in the 38th over rueful of allowing their spin bowlers to dominate large sections of the middle period of the game
However all was not lost. The team acknowledged that early wickets would be the key to forcing a result. Dan Holewell bowled a hostile spell and was rewarded with a wicket in the 3rd over. Arun Leyhall came on as first change and bowled a fine controlled spell also chipping in with a wicket leaving Cardiff and Vale 39 for 2 after 12 overs. The team needed to continue to take wickets and Cam Gordon, also bowing an accurate line duly obliged.
At the half way stage Cardiff and Vale were 69 for 3. The decision was taken to bring back the opening bowlers recognising that to force the victory the Wiltshire needed to bowl Cardiff out. Both Joe Clare, taking 2 in 2 balls, and Dan Holewell responded reducing Cardiff and Vale to 87 for 6 after 25 overs. However that was the end of the wicket taking. The bowlers were rotated but what chances were offered did not stick and Cardiff and Vale built a partnership to see Cardiff and Vale home in the 35th over.
Cardiff and Vale win by 4 wickets
WILTSHIRE V ISLE OF WIGHT UNDER 13’S COUNTY CUP
Thursday 28th May 2009
Wiltshire started their 2009 campaign with an emphatic victory over the Isle of Wight at Corsham Cricket Club. The weather leading up to the day of the game had been wet and windy but the team at Corsham had prepared an excellent wicket and a glorious outfield for both sides to enjoy.
The Isle of Wight won the toss and elected to bowl. The teams took to the field in brilliant sunshine and the Isle of Wight were soon on top taking two early wickets. James Gillespie and Luke Hansford set about repairing the early damage and gradually built a partnership of 62 before Luke Hansford was out for 37 playing across a straight delivery.
The fall of the wicket meant Wiltshire were 70 for 3 after 15 overs. Duncan Lorrain joined James Gillespie and together they put on 92 runs before James was bowled for an excellent 67 in the 36th over. Duncan Lorrain remained unbeaten on 48 and Wiltshire on a competitive 182 for 6 at the end of their allotted 40 overs.
Wiltshire knew they had a good total to defend and quickly put pressure on the Isle of Wight batsmen. Joe Clare took two early wickets and was well supported by Kieran Gibson who came on as first change and finished with match figures of 3 wickets for 7 runs from his 4 overs. Arun Leyhal chipped in with two further wickets as did Jack Richards. All the bowlers were supported by a superb fielding display by Wiltshire with 7 catches being held (Luke Hansford (2) Tom Whittaker (2), Tom Alsop, James Richardson and Arun Leyhal). Every chance offered was taken and the Isle of Wight were never in the game dismissed for 67 in the 25 over.
Wiltshire won by 115 runs.
Thank you to the Corsham Cricket Club for their excellent hospitality looking after both teams extremely well, ensuring the game could go ahead and to provide a platform for the Under 13’s to move confidently on to their next fixture against Wales in this competition
