U14 B v Eltham

Result: Won by 3 wickets
Review: Following the chastening defeat against Ipswich all the Felsted players were determined to make amends in the last match of the season. With Simon Holme once again taking over the mantle of leadership following his stint with the A team, there was a much more cohesive spirit in the field. Against an under-strength Eltham batting line-up, the  Felsted pace attack of Stonham, Warner and Holme exerted a stranglehold, taking wickets at regular intervals. However, the pick of the attack was John Brodie whose left arm wrist spin utterly bamboozled the batsmen; the turn he achieved was prodigious and he was also able to slow down the run-rate at a crucial stage of the innings. Having bowled the opposition out for 54 the stage should have been set for a comfortable stroll to victory- but this was not to be. Instead some poor shots and a very fast spell from an Eltham quick bowler with a slingy action reminiscent of Jeff Thomson, soon reduced a rather nervous Felsted batting line up to the parlous state of 40-6. However, calm and determined batting from Sturge, Smart and Boyce saw Felsted home and thus, the team were able to finish the season on a well deserved high note !

2nd XI v Oakham

Result: Lost by 8 wickets 

Review:After a delayed start, put in on a tricky wicket, we struggled against some tight bowling and excellent fielding. Only Padfield provided much concerted resistance, although Fillingham and Kingham smote a few lusty blows; 80 runs was never likely to be defendable.

Although Thorpe-Apps and the prodigal son Brooks-Ward gave us some hope with tight opening spells,, the change bowlers were not able to contain their stroke-makers, and we lost by 8 wickets, with 11 overs still left to be bowled.

Player of the match: Padfield (21 runs; and 3 overs for 7 runs)

U14 A v Oakham

Result: Lost by 71 runs

Review: Gale force winds did not make for easy cricket playing conditions. Ably marshalled by Simon Holme, Felsted put in a competitive performance in the field to restrict a powerful Oakham batting line up to 137-6 off the allotted 25 overs. Some of the out-cricket was brilliant and Will Stonham almost pulled off the ‘catch of the century’, diving full length to his left to try and grasp the ball one handed. A few overs later, Sam Hanikene took an excellent catch running back at mid off, off the bowling of Charlie Sturge. Another highlight was a brilliant pick up and throw by Stefan Warner at fine leg to achieve a run out. Simon Holme and Charlie Sturge in particular bowled tightly despite the unhelpful conditions and only in the last five overs of the innings did the Oakham batsmen really begin to dictate terms. Unfortunately, the Felsted top order was blown away in the first 8 overs and there was no way back once the scoreboard read 18-5. Some injudicious strokes did play a part in the collapse, but equally credit must be given to the Oakham pace attack who maintained a really full and attacking length, putting the Felsted batsmen under a great deal of pressure. Charlie Sturge and Sam Hanikene then shared a good partnership of 33 for the 6^th wicket but the damage had already been done and when Charlie perished, rightly trying to move the score along, the end was nigh and Felsted were eventually all out for 66.

2nd XI v Oakham

Result: Won by 8 wickets

Review: We finished the season with a good win, despite the 'pick-up' nature of the side - commendation for Messrs Hiett, Edwards and Chaplin for being willing to turn out at short notice for us - nothing to do with Head of School campaign, of course!

We bowled them out for 156 in 28 overs, with Brooks-Ward taking 4-34; then knocked off the runs in 23 overs, with George Padfield leading the way (75*) supported by Ben Latham - a nice 20 - and Kingham, 39*, 32 of them in boundaries.

Windy, but the rain held off, unlike the last time we went there, so all round a successful and enjoyable day out.