Expectations are high for the Under 13s this year and they got off to a great start with a 1 run win against neighbours and rivals Southgate Adelaide.

Southgate lost the toss and were put into bat but made a good start with opening partnership Zaid (21) and Sash (18) putting on 37 for the first wicket. Though wickets fell, the run rate never slowed. Noticeable contributions came from Kushal (16 from 14 balls) and a late flurry of boundaries from Jack (19* from 12 balls) with Southgate closing on a respectable but not unchasable 131/8.

Through the Adelaide Innings the game went back and forth, with both teams on top at different times. At a point when the batters looked to be getting on top, Siddaarth bowled a tidy spell with his 2 overs only going for a single run and helping his Southgate team get their noses back in front. Captain Kushal took the final over having impressed early on with the ball. From the final 3 balls Adelaide required just 7 to win and when a streaky drive crept through the fielders and over the boundary for 4 the nerves from players and parents alike were palpable. The skipper didn't let it affect him. The penultimate ball pinned the batter on the toes plumb LBW with a speedy away swinger, and the final ball went away for a single leg bye to give Southgate their first win of the campaign. Tomorrow sees a cup game away at Winchmore Hill. Can they repeat the heroics...

Scott Ellis