U15 A v Bishop's Stortford College

Tuesday 20th May
Won by 36 runs

Felsted: 205-4 (30 overs) (W. Buttleman 54, J. King 63, C. Latham 39*, A. Lucas 36)
BSC: 169 all out (29.5 overs) (R. Willis 4/18, C.  Bailey 2/40, M. Gilham 2/23)

This match followed the pattern of the previous game, as Buttleman and King posted an opening partnership of 103.  With some lessons learned from the previous game, there was a greater urgency here, as they went along at more than 5 runs an over.  Charlie Latham again batted very well, making 39 not out (33 balls), but the real power at the end of the innings was provided by Archie Lucas, who smashed 36 from just 16 deliveries.

At the half way point, the game seemed won, and this brought a rather relaxed attitude to the bowling and fielding.  Stortford were not beaten yet, though, and while Henchie was powering ahead with 65, they remained in the game.  In fact after 20 overs, Stortford were 8 runs ahead of Felsted.  Fortunately, Felsted kept their nerve, and Barton took a good catch to remove Henchie, from the bowling of Bailey.  Despite some good strikes from Radley (36), Gilham picked up two more wickets, and Ronan Willis tore through the tail, taking four for 18, as Stortford ended up well short.

U15 A v Canterbury

17th May 2014
Result: Won by 78 runs
Felsted 196 for 2 (30 overs) (W. Buttleman 67, J. King 60, C. Latham 20*, A. Lucas 29*) King's Canterbury 118 all out (J. King 4/27, C. Bailey 3/10)

Felsted won a good toss, and King and Buttleman set a solid foundation, taking the score up to 55 for 0 at the half way stage.  They had been a little cautious to this point, but as they began to pile on the pressure in the second half of the innings, they were able to expand their games, and post a very good 138 run stand in 24 overs.  Both fell trying to accelerate still further, but Charlie Latham and Archie Lucas (who started 464.4) smashed 40 in the last 3 overs as King's wilted in the heat.

Gilham struck in the first over in reply, with a good catch to Latham at slip.  The 2nd wicket pair then added 56 in 10 overs, as King's launched a spirited chase.  However, a dramatic collapse saw 83 for 2 become 87 for 9, as Josh King and Cameron Bailey ran through the batting line up. 
The opener and captain, Barker, fell for a very good 46, but nobody else threatened to win King's the game.  It was only a carefree last wicket stand of 31 in 21 balls that gave King's any real respectability.

Felsted can be very proud of their performance in this game - the best showing of the season to date, and definitely positive signs of progress.

U15 A v Sandon

15th May 2014
Result: Won by 10 wickets
Sandon 35 all out (17.2 overs) (E. Potter 2/2, M. Gilham 3/9, C. Latham
2/12)
Felsted 37 for 0 (4 overs) (A. Lucas 20*)

A very weak Sandon side could not cope with the opening spells of Ned Potter and Matt Gilham, as they fell to 15 for 7 in 12 overs.  Opening batsman Sharman made 18, batting for nearly 17 overs, but there were six ducks in their final total of 35.  Felsted's openers swung hard from ball one, and won the game in just four overs.  This win takes Felsted through to the quarter final of the Essex Cup.

U15 Girls' XI v St Martin’s

The girls’ cricket team played their first fixture this season against St Martins. Led ably by the Essex Wicket Keeper Alex Went, the girls opened the batting. With two fours in the first over, the score began to mount. By the eighth over, a super partnership between Natasha Lufkin and Charley Moore had developed, and Charley retired on 25 runs, having demonstrated her skilled shot placement. The enthusiasm of the girls was evident as they took advantage of the wide field offered by the opposition. At the end of 20 overs, the total was a very respectable 82.

Poppy Mifsud opened the bowling and her pacey straight arm action set the tone for the fielding side. The opening batswomen were strong, but our team managed to field their shots well. Abi Magee and Charley Butler continued to put on the pressure, until Olivia Fenn brought in the first wicket through a loopy bowl which resulted in Natasha Lufkin taking the catch. As our girls grew in confidence so did their skill. Ella-Rae Coleby succeeded in bowling out batswomen number three with a superb straight bowl. All fielding was tight and they continued to show their skills throughout the match. St Martins however were strong opposition and reached 83 runs before the end of the innings.

1st XI v MCC

Thursday 1st May 2014
Felsted: 172/6, 39.0 overs 
MCC: 169/7, 43.0 overs

Please click here for a full match report.