On a glorious Sunday afternoon an experienced 3rd/4th XI took on the energetic Under 17s for the David Adamson Trophy in a 40 over early season friendly game at Master Park.

With both sides wanting to bat , the3rd/ 4th XI Skipper, Richard Adamson, won the coin toss and invited the youngsters to bowl.

The following 2 and a half hours was full of good cricket, played in a great spirit with many father / son match ups. It was also full of chat from the u17s - some good, some less so, some ever so occasionally effective but I think the u17s might have learnt the wise (stubborn ?) old heads are impervious to it all - or maybe we just didn’t hear them ?!

Highlights of the 3/4s innings were Rory Donnelly getting his Dad out, the snorter of a bouncer Hugo bowled at Ed, the sledging aimed at our Chairman, Sam bowling to Tim and elder brother Richard retiring Mirrors on 91.. (what would Dad have thought of that !)

The old timers ended on 194, 10-20 short of what they ideally wanted but very much in the game.

The u17s started their innings with 2 match ups - Gilbert v Jack and George v Rory and the boys had the better of these encounters.

However the introduction of EDVH and Cam read slowed the run rate and wickets fell, the dangerous skipper Jack being dismissed for 38. The game ebbed and flowed - all the u17s contributed with the bat but wickets kept falling - remarkably including 2 run outs with great throws from Gilbert & George. (Editors note... these two are not in anyway to be compared with the provocative artists who work together as the collaborative art duo of that name).

And so it came down to the last over 4 to win, and Mirrors to bowl. Could he keep it tight and cause panic in the u17s ranks ? Short answer - NO ! - two balls was all that was needed for an u17 win - congrats to them.

Presentations, short speeches and photos followed to capture what was a really good day.

Thanks go to Gilbert for helping to organise and Ed H and Ben M for umpiring. The support from the ‘Pavilion’ was also great to see.

Until next year then, U17s - though apparently I’m dropped after losing us the game..