The Under 13s took on Mill Hill Village at Home this week. These two teams are battling it out for 2nd place of the north area top division.
Southgate's captain Zayd won the toss and elected to bat. The wicket was very uneven and tricky to score on and with a slightly shuffled batting order and some good bowling from Mill Hill things weren't easy. Regular wickets meant that Southgate were under par at half way. However some gutsy partnerships, aggressive running and crisp hitting in the later stages saw Southgate post a respectable yet unimpressive 116 for 8. Batting contributions came from Kushal (21 from 20) and Nikhil (22* from 18).
At the start of the second innings things didn't look to be going Southgate's way. Tomas opened up, bowling like the wind, however a ball took off from a length and flew over the wicker keepers head for 4 byes got Mill Hill off to a flying start.
What followed was a superb bowling performance from the whole team and to single people out risks missing out a vital contribution. However two impressive performances came from boys who have remodelled their action. Mir Ayaan, a former mystery spinner steamed in from almost the boundary edge with his new pace bowling earning him figures of 1-14. In reverse we were treated to Dylan D's new leg spin action and as the game was getting tight towards the end his miserly figgers earned him an extra over finishing on 0-14 from 3 overs. Finally, anyone who has watched the Under 11s this season will be familiar with their co-captain Dylan T blasting through the opposition batters' defences. However what an achievement to step up and do the same thing in the Under 13s. He finished as the top wicket taker with 2-7 from his 2 overs.
With one over to go Mill Hill's final wicket pair had clawed them back into the game with a solid partnership that blunted Southgate's juggernaut of a bowling attack leaving them 11 to win with 1 wicket remaining. Jack stepped up to the plate and with precision took down the batters stumps with the first ball of the over to seal a win for Southgate.
2 games to go. Southgate travel next week to play top of the table Old Elizabethans!
Scott Ellis