An inexperienced Southgate side took to the field with a Finlay making his debut in hard ball cricket and Sam, keeping for the very first time.

OE won the toss, elected to bat and started strongly taking 16 from the first two overs. Ishaan then calmed the run rate only conceding 2 off his first over but the runs were thereafter being accumulated quickly and seeing OE batsmen retire.

Whilst boundaries were not being conceded too often, singles were being allowed and extras crept into the bowling to allow the total to advance without any deductions being applied for wickets. Run out opportunities were missed too with the wrong end being targeted or attempts at direct hits rather than returns being selected.

The change of wicket keepers allowed Scott to speak to the boys and the second ten overs saw a much better fielding performance with the right decisions being taken with ball in hand.

Ishaan did make a breakthrough in his third over and some late wickets assisted however but OE posted 131 (net 296). Extras assisted the OE total but bowling was tricky on a cold and blowy evening.

Chasing a formidable target and with an inexperienced batting line up Southgate struggled to make in-roads into the total losing wickets at regular intervals, direct hit run outs not helping, Tight OE bowling also kept progress at bay and was supported by good fielding, a four being stopped on the boundary on more than one occasion.

Southgate managed to post 81 (net 227) and thereby lost by 69 runs.

A good learning experience for the boys and one that can be built on with better awareness and decision making in the field and more consistent batting,

David Cox