U15 A v Haileybury

Result: Felsted won by 5 wickets

Review: Haileybury 155/2 (35 overs)

Felsted 156/5 (29.5 overs) (T. Kingham 57*, T. Latham 40*)

After the frustration of Oundle, and the disappointment of King's

Canterbury, it was crucial that we got a result on Saturday against Haileybury.  Training was sharp and on Tuesday, the side comfortably beat the under 14s in a 20 over fixture. Everything looked in place as the sun beat down on Saturday afternoon.

Fielding first, we knew that early wickets could be the key. In Harry Brooke's first over, there were two close calls; a catch went down, and only an inside edge saving the batsman from a leg before decision.  Following this bright start, we lost our way as several bowlers struggled into the wind, and the Haileybury openers played positively to take them to 54 for 0 in 12 overs.  At this point, our spinners (Ollie Grayson and Max Malins) managed to gain us some control. Although we still did not take wickets, the opposition were not able to get away. When Callum MacDonald finally made the breakthrough with a well judged catch off his own bowling, they were only on 112 after 28 overs and we were still very much in the game.  They tried to accelerate in the final few overs, but with Harry Brooke returning to complete an excellent spell (and in the process effect a very good run out), the final target of 156 in 35 overs was well within reach.

Of course, the batting has not been functioning very well so far.  A change in the order saw Freddie Burns promoted to open.  He promptly fell for 0 in the first over!  Ollie Grayson was next to go, bowled for a duck. When Harry Brooke pushed a wide delivery to gulley for 0, we were 19 for 3, and in dire straits.  It was not quite time to panic though, as Max Malins was playing beautifully. Having reached 20, however, a ball that was going harmlessly down the leg side deflected off his boot, and rolled onto the leg stump.  26 for 4 and optimism was fading fast.  Tom Kingham was joined by James Smith, and with Smith playing a couple of very positive strokes, the score pushed along to 47 for 4. But when Smith fell for 14, the scoreboard read 47 for 5 in 12 overs; the obituaries were being written, and the press conference was being prepared for the resignation speech.  Fortunately, Tom Kingham found a stubborn partner in Tom Latham, and they at least showed the intent to get stuck in.

The back up bowling from Haileybury was not that strong, and the two Toms took advantage.  No major risks, but bad balls were hit and singles were taken.  Suddenly the score was 70, then 80, and then at drinks 100 for 5 off 20 overs.  Haileybury hesitated, when their opening bowlers should have come back.  It was a fatal mistake and as the two grew in confidence, the run rate increased.  A couple of run out chances were spurned. Kingham was dropped at extra cover, but by now he was into his stride, striking over the top with great power, and passing a superb second fifty of the season.  With Haileybury a beaten side, the two did not relax and finished the game off themselves, bringing us victory by 5 wickets with a little over 5 overs to spare.  It had seemed a very unlikely outcome just an hour earlier, but showed just how well these two had played.

Of course, there is much more to come from this side still.  We must take our catches, and bowl fewer poor balls.  We must be patient at the top of the order and not give the bowlers a chance to get us out cheaply. In terms of resilience and character, however, this was one of the best.

Player of the match:  Tom Latham and Tom Kingham