Final Over Thriller

It was a lovely sunny evening when captain, Edward Button walked out for the toss of the first league game of the season. He won the toss and decided to bat, mainly because two of his players hadn't arrived yet!

Alfie Offord, 4 not out, and Noah Kemp, 6, got Willoughby off to good start with the score at 219 after their 4 overs. Both managed to score fours on the sizeable boundary. In came the twins, Aiden and Kaitlin Porter. This was Kaitlin's first appearance for the Under 11s and she hit a couple of lovely drives but unfortunately to a well set field. Aiden was as dependable as ever scoring 6 not out taking the team to 227. The third pairing were cousins, Nirmay and Mehul Patel. Losing just one wicket they moved the score onto 244. The last pairing were Eddie Button and Ollie Morris Nicholls. They had an eventful four overs, scoring 15 runs but losing 4 wickets! One was a rather unfortunate run out, Eddie eager to get a run and Ollie all but forced to leave his ground with no hope of making it back! Ollie Orton took both their wickets with two near identical deliveries which pitched well outside off stump seamed in and clipped the off bail. The innings closed on 89 for 8 which is a score of 249.

The Willoughby umpire was forced to supplement his fat coat with an umpire's coat as the sun had been replaced with a bitter northerly wind. Edward led his team out onto the field confident that their total could be defended. The opening bowlers Mehul and Ollie bowled a good line and length and kept the opening pair to just 208, Mehul taking the team's first wicket. Harry, the matches top gross scorer with 13, and his partner Freddie scored quickly and left Long Itchington on 230 despite good bowling from Kaitlin and Alfie Things weren't looking good for Willoughby but the next four overs changed that. A maiden from Eddie, a wicket maiden from Nirmay and 2 wickets in one over for 2 runs from Aiden meant Willoughby were now in the driving seat with Long Itchington on 223. Aiden and Eddie the most capped players were to bowl the final four overs. The first three overs went for 21 runs; Aiden taking 1 for 5 in his over. Aiden bowled well throughout and the scores were tied with one delivery to go. Alas Ollie Orton with a top net score of 12 hit 2 off the final ball to win the game.

Both teams played some really good cricket which entertained all of us lucky enough to be there. It was a good opening performance and I’m sure there’s much more to come.