U13's Finish Home Matches With a win

The U13's came to their final league home match of 2017 wanting to finish on a high. Old Rutlishians were our guests and after negotiating the road closures around the ground play started on a warm and bright Sunday morning. Winning the toss (back on form), captain Aaron decided to bat and put runs on the board which we could then defend. Unfortunately, this didn't quite go to plan with Old Ruts bowling patiently and accurately with wickets falling cheaply, a number of them bowled. Tom Smith managed 10 but with nothing else of note by the top or middle order there was a big worry that our total would be far too easy for Old Ruts to chase. Praise is due to James Duffy who came in at No 9 and proceeded to show the other batsman how it's done by scoring an invaluable 21 runs towards the end of the innings. Bearing in mind we finished on a total of 88 it gave a little hope that we had a score to defend.
Coach's half time talk was along the lines of ' Well you got yourselves into this situation.....' and discussions were held that the only way to win was to bowl the opposition out and take every chance. On the field it was really impressive to see the team were up for the challenge and really encouraging each other and refusing to let heads drop. All the bowlers performed admirably but the difference on the day was Tom Smith who ripped out the top and middle order of the opposition. A four over stint yielded 5 wickets for 6 runs including two double wicket maidens! A true man of the match performance including a deserved taking home of the match ball. So with the scores getting tight and Old Ruts needing thirteen to win with one wicket remaining Yash Vora sent down a bit of twirl which got through the gate of the final batsman and took out middle & leg. Cue the fairly lively celebrations...........