U15 A V Bishop’s Stortford College

Result: Won by 77 runs 

Felsted 161-8 (30 overs) (T. Kingham 61 not out, H. Brooke 48)

BSC 84 all out (25 overs) (F. Burns 2 for 5, O. Grayson 2 for 9) 

Finally some cricket!  The season got underway belatedly on a sunny afternoon at Bishop's Stortford College yesterday.  The pitch was very soft, and it was a good toss to win, but unfortunately we did not, and had to bat first in a 30 over game.  With a slump to 21-3, we looked under pressure, but very intelligent batting from Harry Brooke (48) and Tom Kingham (61 not out), adding 73 for the 4th wicket, put us back in the game.  Just as our momentum was falling away, with a flurry of wickets (127-8), Will Jackson came out and played a superb cameo innings of 20 not out, helping Tom Kingham to add 34 in the last three and a half overs.  A total of 161 was very good on a difficult surface, although it was getting easier, and one boundary was quite short.

The BSC reply began brightly, moving to 16-0 in 3 overs, and we looked tense, bowling too short for the slow pitch.  A really good return catch by Charlie Duke got rid of their real danger man, and this was followed by a wicket for Harry Brooke.  A small partnership saw them move to 47 for 2, before Freddie Burns (the pick of the bowlers with 2 for 5 in 4 overs) and Tom Kingham took out the middle order.  It was left to the spin 'triplets' of Max Malins (1 for 14), Ollie Grayson (2 for 9) and Tom Latham (1 for 2) to clear up the rest, and bring what was in the end a comfortable victory.  The fielding was very encouraging, with all catches taken bar one very tough chance, and a direct hit run out as well.

Tom Kingham was man of the match for his superb innings under pressure, and a good spell of bowling.  Oundle this Saturday will be much tougher, of course, but it was just good to get a game in outside.  On Saturday, we are due to be on the Front, but with it looking likely that the 1st XI will be moved here, rather than away at Oundle, because they are so wet, we will be on one of the out grounds, 2.15pm start.  They are a team worth watching - positive, but fighting with the bat, variety with the ball, and athletic in the field - there are a lot of things to improve on, but this was a very good start to the season (at last!).

Player of the match: Tom Kingham