Match Reports

A much anticipated Super 8’s fixture against Mildenhall U15’s and a chance to test our skills against a very good batting & bowling unit.

The visiting skipper called the toss correctly and opted to bat, skipper Lilly a tad disappointed as that would have been our call had the coin fallen in our favour. Let’s now work out who is going to keep wicket, Joel victorious in the arm wrestle and proving to be a very capable keeper, in the pre match warm up.

Once again, this format of cricket is fairly punishing if you open the bowling unless, of course, early wickets are taken. Mildenhall batters started briskly, and the shiny new ball received some early punishment, and several search parties were mounted to retrieve balls from the boundary hedge. Just when our initial optimism was starting to be tested, Lilly struck with two much needed wickets in an over, the ‘score register’ began to slow down and catching opportunities presented themselves, although we were unable to either reach or hold on to them. One further wicket was claimed, Erin with a peach of a delivery on middle stump, The remainder of Mildenhall’s batting overs were fairly attritional, we bowled well without taking further wickets & the batters picked off the shorter and over pitched deliveries. Final score for Mildenhall, after 18 overs, 158/3.

Now last time out Fin completed our batting with 6’s off the final 2 deliveries and, while he took just a little persuading, he stepped forward to open our batting response with Harry, who stood at the non-striking end and watched Fin despatch the first over to all parts of the ground, retiring not out having passed 25 runs off the first 7 balls. As good an opening Super 8’s innings as you are likely to see. Great start for Woolpit and Lilly, who had entered the challenge when Harry lost his middle stump, continued the flow of runs which included a maximum over mid-wicket. At this point we had a real game on our hands and the very real prospect of chasing down Mildenhall’s score, although our opponents kept their nerve, bowled fast and straight, claiming several clean bowled wickets and they held the catching chances that came their way. Terrific innings from Fin (39 not out) and Lilly (32), with good support from Erin (16) and Joel (14). We reached a final score of 146 but the loss of 10 wickets in the pursuit inflated Mildenhall’s total by an additional 50 runs, so the concluding result was Mildenhall (208/3) won by 62 runs against Woolpit (146/10).

Our opponents this evening played very well in posting a competitive total, but the true distinction proved to be their excellent bowling/fielding which kept us under pressure throughout. Key learning theme here is one of valuing our wicket and having the patience & skill to build a meaningful personal score, with sensible shot selections – All while continuing to enjoy playing with a huge smile on our faces.

I say well played to all, worked hard and never gave up, thanks Joel & Olly for sharing wicket keeping (9 overs each), Dilly for standing in at very short notice, Olivia for bravely challenging herself with the bat, Conor for umpiring and all the parents for supporting the team. Finally, thank you to the Mildenhall contingent for playing well & being good sports on the night – very much appreciated.

Where do I even begin to start with this one ? a terrific match against a strong WleW U15 side. 377 runs, in 36 overs, and 14 wickets makes for great excitement, and this truly was a terrific game to watch.

For the second game running Woolpit called the toss correctly and Olly, skipper for the night, opted to bowl first without a hint of hesitation.

Charlie & Alfie were asked to bowl the first 4 overs, with Olly & Abi taking overs 5 & 6. Walsham’s opening batters set about their task of building a platform with some real intent and had reached 51/0 at the end of the 6th over. We now needed a break and it arrived in the 7th over when Olly sent down 2 superb deliveries that caught the bat & Conor clutched behind the wicket. A terrific over that claimed 2 wickets for just 3 runs and, with batters now retiring (20 balls faced) momentum had begun to shift. As a bowling group I thought we performed brilliantly to restrict Walsham to 144 off 18 overs, especially after their robust start. Clara claimed a magnificent catch at deep mid-wicket to give James a thoroughly deserved wicket and Olly splayed the timbers for his 3rd wicket. In response the WleW batting group batted competently to compile a decent Super 8’s first innings total, for the loss of just 4 wickets and, in the final analysis, this would turn out to be crucial.

So, 144 runs required and starting on 20, Conor, Harry, Charlie & Alfie taking on the early task of chasing down Walsham’s total. Once again, our batters rose to the challenge and, by the equivalent 6th over conclusion we had scored 54 runs, 3 more than the first innings but, crucially, we had lost 3 wickets and WleW’s total had risen by 15 runs to 159. Now a cheeky tactical switch held Olly back to bat at 5, intended to help maintain scoring momentum as earlier batters reached retirement thresholds. The tactic appeared to work, and Olly simply rose to the challenge, scoring a majestic 35 off his initial 20 balls. Now within any game there are additional milestones and challenges where players push their own boundaries for the overall benefit of the team and tonight, James deserves a special mention as he challenged himself to bat long and he did, not out & retired off 20 balls faced and some very good bowling in there too, well done James, looking forward to you building on this milestone.

Back to the game now and tensions mounted as Woolpit closed in on Walsham’s score, as Conor (47), Charlie (24) & Olly (a superb 55) returned to the crease. In terms of standard batting runs Woolpit scored 153 against Walsham’s 144, but Walsham prevailed because of their disciplined bowling/fielding claiming 12 wickets in total (60 extra runs) compared to losing just 4 wickets themselves. 204/4 against 173/12 the outcome and Walsham le Willows deserved victors, but we did give them a damn good game.

Thank you, Martin, for helping umpire the game and a final salute to the evening’s skipper Olly for his 3 wickets, 55 runs & solid tactical leadership, very well done.

An interesting consideration is what players, chauffeuring parents and coach/manager contemplate before and enroute to a fixture. No doubt the answer is way too complex for this thread but, enroute to tonight’s game my thoughts centred on the players working as a team, having fun, taking a few risks, as well as the usual let’s bowl straight, keep the extras down, field bravely, treasure your wicket and keep the pressure on the opponents.

Don’t you just love it when a plan comes together (Hannibal Smith, The A-Team, 1980’ish), as our U15’s came out on the right side of a fantastic game at Stowmarket, with all results possible off the very last ball. Credit to all 16 players who were brilliant ambassadors for their respective clubs.

Skipper Lily called the coin toss right and opted to field first, calling on Fin to deliver the first over and, from ball 2 our bowlers conceded no further no-balls or wides for the next 18 overs - a fantastic effort I must say. This laid the foundations for our team, with sharp & resolute fielding backing up the efforts of each bowler and restricting Stowmarket’s batters to 110 for 7 wickets off 18 overs. Two wickets apiece for Fin & Olly, a superb Lily run out and one wicket for James & Harry plus tidy bowling from Alfie, Lily & Will – the latter with very respectable figures of 3 overs for 5 runs at an economy of 1.67 per over. No wides, 6 batters bowled, the obvious benefits of bowling a good line and length.

With 7 wickets in the bag Woolpit commenced the chase on 35 runs, Conor & Harry drafted to lead off our innings, with Lily & Olly to follow, all batted with positive intent, 3 reaching retirement having faced their 20-ball maximum. The response appeared comfortable but then Stowmarket rallied claiming 4 wickets and a 20-run boost to their score. Suddenly we arrive in the final over with scores level on 135, Fin adds a couple of runs to hand Woolpit the advantage but then another wicket falls to nudge Stowmarket ahead, before Fin & Conor add the necessary runs to see us home.

Terrific game, played in the right spirit and one where every player made a meaningful contribution. Cricket the winner here, no doubt.

Post-match thoughts on the journey home, see Para 1 and place a nice tick in each box.

The U15’s returned to Rectory Lane this evening for a scheduled Super 8’s fixture against Bardwell.

For the third game in a row the toss went against us, but Bardwell deciding to ask us to bat was a pleasant surprise and the chance to post a decent total.

Despite another early set back (A Super 8 Life), the opening pair handled the Bardwell bowlers competently and started to build a score before the customary retirements arrived. Our batters then each appeared to settle, score a few runs, and then succumb to tight, accurate bowling or the offer of a simple catch. Nevertheless, our 18 overs concluded, and we had posted a score of 121, for the loss of 8 wickets in total. Conor and Finn had the chance of returning to bat & push the score on, the former caught at ‘Long On’ pushing for a 6 and the latter plundering successive 6’s off the final 2 balls.

The general feeling amongst the players, at the innings break, was positive and hopeful of defending the score on the assumption we could match Bardwell’s wicket haul (Bonus Runs).

In the field our players worked hard, and our bowling was mostly on point, although Bardwell’s stronger batters were able to find the gaps or resort to full on bludgeoning to the boundaries. We are not short of persistence, however, and an inspired spell from Finn brought a personal haul of 4 wickets (3 clean bowled & the other caught, once again, skillfully by Alfie), hope prevails and suddenly, it’s game on, we then claim a run out & Lily also bags a wicket. With 2 overs remaining Woolpit hold a slight advantage, but which way would it go?

Well, we couldn’t quite claim the extra wickets that would see us home and returning Bardwell batters (previously retired not out) scored sufficient runs to close out the game. In the end Woolpit U15’s scored 151/8 and Bardwell U15’s reached 162/6, winning by 11 runs.

Ultimately this was a very tight match played out in the very best traditions of cricket. No complaints, the stronger team won through on the night.

Cricket is now very much underway and can’t wait for our next fixture Thursday 9th June, away to Stowmarket.

Our 2022 Super 8’s campaign commenced, this evening, away to Chippenham, in the picturesque setting of Chippenham Park.

The hosts won the coin toss and elected to bat first, so we gathered ourselves for an hour or so in the field and the usual rock, paper, scissors debates over who would keep wicket. Libby prevailed and acquitted herself superbly.

Young Jack had come to watch his older siblings play but found himself (with parental permission) taking the field at fine leg, for the first 2 overs, owing to the delayed arrival of our skipper and what a superb job he did, with 2 excellent fields at fine leg. Skipper arrived and Jack left the field with a beaming smile across his face – memories made and thank you.

The game unfolded with, perhaps, Chippenham’s batters having gained slight advantage with 139 runs on the board (before adjustments for subsequent wickets taken in our batting innings). We bowled and fielded well, though Super 8 fixtures are generally defined by the team that achieves a higher percentage of ‘Retired Out’ batters (reaching 25 runs scored or 20 balls faced) and Chippenham had 3 of their batters do so, to our one. Wickets for Erin, Olly, Alfie & Henrietta plus 2 catches by Alfie the statistical highlights (and 20 runs to our score) though plenty of excellent fielding throughout the team, applying pressure on the batters.

So, our response commenced on 20 runs chasing 139 for parity or 140 to win. After the set back of an early run out, we settled into the chase and, at the 9 over half-way point, the prospects of chasing down the target were looking good. The wonderful thing about cricket is that you are always learning and never, really, in control and so it came to be, as a further 5 dismissals halted our scoring momentum and accumulated additional bonus runs for the hosts.

As the sun set and the game arrived at its conclusion, we had scored 123/6 with the fluidity of Super 8’s scoring seeing Chippenham’s score rise to 169/4. Notable batting mentions for Dilly, Logan & Harry with 12, 15 & 16 respectively, and Henrietta for a last over cameo. Dilly our only batter to reach retirement (20 balls), well done.

Onto the next fixture with important reminders, bowl straight & hit the ball, ideally into a gap.

All dressed up but, ultimately, no dance to attend.

Opponents concede owing to low player numbers. Hopefully, we can rearrange as a friendly so that the players don’t miss out.

#GetTheGameOn

The very first match of the season for our U15’s and straight into County Cup action with a visit to our friends at Bardwell.

Now this game had all the ingredients of a competitive and sporting challenge, played out in the very best spirit of cricket.

There was some excellent batting, bowling and fielding from both teams but, by some way, the one who shone brightest was the Bardwell scoreboard which provided essential illumination for the majority of the Woolpit batting run chase.

Bardwell prevailed by 25 runs and all credit to them and best wishes for a good run in the competition.

A hearty thanks to the players who gave everything they had and never stopped encouraging & supporting each other, to the parents for braving the ever cooling breeze and helping officiate the game and, finally, to Bardwell CC who demonstrated incredible resolve to prepare a pitch & muster a team at incredibly short notice.