U10s narrowly lose ESCL cup quarter final
An excellent game of cricket goes down to the last over as Lingfield won by 13 runs
With half-term selection headaches behind us we fielded a strong team knowing that Lingfield would be keen to avenge last season's U9 cup final defeat at our hands.
Without a recognised wicket keeper we had sought prior agreement from Lingfield to try out a couple of keepers, but they were so keen to win that they went back on their agreement and we had to follow the letter of the rules and keep one wicket keeper for the entire innings. Well done then to Henry McCall who kept wicket for the full 20 overs and only conceded single figures in byes despite keeping to quick bowlers like Pablo Portillo and Harry Record.
Lingfield batted first and got to a total of 278 for the loss of just 5 wickets with partnerships of 30, 0, 11, 25 and 12. We conceded 43 runs in wides and no balls which ultimately cost us the game as Lingfield only conceded 25 when they bowled.
All of our 9 bowlers got a minimum of 2 overs each, sticking with our policy of giving all our boys a fair crack at the game. (Again Lingfield's desire to win meant that 2 of their bowlers only bowled 1 over each).
Wickets were shared between Harry Record, Sam Bream, Josh Morel and Jamie Walters all picking up one wicket each bowled, with a further team wicket from a run out. Overall Lingfield batted sensibly, only scoring 51 runs off the bat but generally protecting their wickets well.
In reply Oxted comprehensively outscored Lingfield with our highest total off the bat of the season with 81 runs. However we lost four more wickets and Lingfield conceded 23 extras fewer than us, ultimately giving them the victory by a margin of just 13 runs.
Partnerships of 0, 25, 14, 13 and 13 kept us in the game all the way, but the last pair just fell short of the victory target with a little too much to do to get us across the line. Special mention to Josh Morel and Isaac Jones with their 25 run partnership, lots of strike rotation, singles and boundaries and no wickets showing us all how to build a partnership.
Well played boys, an excellent effort in the field and a narrow defeat to a strong club.