On the 21 June Southgate U11 hosted Mill Hill Village U11with high hopes of returning to winning ways following the narrow cup defeat at Botany Bay.

Southgate lost the toss and were put into bat and got off to the worst possible start losing a wicket in the first over. The shock of the losing wicket then affected the running with available singles not being taken and despite a period of calm, the lack of runs accumulated took on an ominous feel when a second wicket was lost to a good yorker. Southgate, in trouble at 11-2, were then further up against it losing their third wicket without troubling the scorer further.

Wickets then fell at a regular pace with only a few boundaries from Dylan and Julian giving hope that a competitive score could be reached. After 10 overs Southgate had reached 45-5 and a target of 80 or so still seemed achievable.

After the drinks break Southgate immediately lost a wicket and then added to their own demise with a chaotic run-out and when Henry was caught at square leg, playing off his legs, Southgate had been bowled out for 60 in just under 16 overs.

Scott emphasised to the team that low totals can still be defended with early wickets and tight fielding, so Southgate took to the field with a positive attitude.

However, the malaise that had affected the batting also affected the bowling with some unusually wayward bowling, a high number of extras and some average fielding. Both Mill Hill openers took full advantage and soon ate into the Southgate total. Only a wicket for Thevin brought some relief in an otherwise one-sided match with Mill Hill chasing down the required target in only 7.2 overs.

Scott held a long debrief with the boys, who were clearly feeling the defeat, the intention being they would learn and progress from a performance that was not quite at the usual standards for this team.