With Coach Yo returning to her homeland this week I had the pleasure of looking after the U15s who I haven’t seen play since the start of the season and though they came out on the wrong side of this game the development of the players is clear to see. Against a strong Old Elizabethan’s side who are battling for the title, Southgate won the toss and batted first.
After 2 early wickets Daniel and Rohan rebuilt with a really proactive style. Rohan with some sumptuous cover drives and Daniel with some bludgeoning blows. Rohan retiring on 35 from 37 balls and Daniel being run out for 32 knowing he was about to be retired. Aaron kept the score moving and even though wickets then began to fall Southgate posted a respectable 134/8 from their 20 overs.
Old Elizabethans started well putting on 24 before their first wicket and Southgate needed some inspiration. Unfortunately, earlier in the day Southgate had a last-minute injury drop out. Fortunately, the U11 squad were training over on the other pitch, and we were able to call over U11 Co-Captain Dylan to make his U15 debut. Having already impressed earlier with the bat making 5 not out from 5 balls, hitting his second ball for 4, he was now given a chance to affect the game with his bowling. What happened next was beyond all our expectations. Dylan steamed in from the sight screen and with his first ball decimated the batter’s wickets! This was exactly what the team needed, but surely, he couldn’t do it again…course he did! His fourth ball wobbling though the air at pace, again too good for the batter on strike, sent the bails flying through the air and put Southgate in the driving seat.
The game went back and forth with wickets falling at regular intervals. Unfortunately, Old Elizabethans had an ace up their sleave and the captain batting down at number 6 hit a powerful 46 from 30 balls to get them over the line. Southgate will regret a couple of dropped catches that might have changes the result however all in all a much improved all round performance and a good end to the season.
Scott Ellis