Sunday 13th August 2023 – U11 v Oxford & Bletchingdon League Pairs:
On Sunday, the U11 pairs team played a rescheduled league match against Oxford & Bletchingdon, at Home.
This was their 10th and final league game of the season for the Oxfordshire U11s Pairs League Pool 4 – https://occcomps.play-cricket.com/website/division/113621
The result of the match would be significant in the final standings of the league pool, where they are currently in 3rd position behind Wolverton and Tiddington who both have 38 points, but Thame had this game in hand and with a win would give them 5 points to also finish on a total of 38…….
The day before the match, some of the team and their followers went to Lords to watch London Spirit play Trent Rockets in THE HUNDRED, so the pitch inspection was at a slightly later and sleepier time of 9am, but still robust in its assessment. The wicket was brushed and marked, the usual offending dog mess removed from the surface and with help from some or the early arrivals a boundary (of sorts) was put out.
With strong availability, a 10-a-side match was agreed in advance with the opposition, albeit they had a few dropouts and could only muster 8 players on the day. By adapting the format to having their 4 pairs bat for 5 overs instead of the usual 4, plus Thame offering up two rolling substitute fielders, the match went ahead with 20 overs per side.
Lewis and the captain of vice, vice captain Rory I, were keen to field first so that they could chase down a score and ensure a chance of winning. And with some early morning Meadow cloud cover and breeze, were confident they could get the ball to seem and swing.
The plan worked and the first pair were scalped 4 times in their 5 overs. Wickets fell at regular intervals thereafter. Impressive and economic bowling from Thame with Dylan going for just 3 runs off 2 overs, including a catch, a wicket and a maiden over for Elizabeth, 1 wicket each for Hector and Mukil, 2 for Lewis and 3 wickets in one devastating maiden over from Charlie S. All backed up by the high energy fielding of Charlie E and Joshua restricted Oxford & Bletchingdon to 248 for 9 after their 20 overs.
In response, Thame did not rest on their laurels and the scorers were kept on their toes by Charlie and Charlie the opening pair who put on 32 runs for the first wicket. Then the cool heads of Hector and Stan added a further partnership of 38 runs with no loss of wicket, which meant that Thame had passed the oppositions total comfortably by the 8th over, but in the game of pairs cricket your score can go backwards aswell as forwards, so this was not a time for complacency. Elizabeth and Mukil batted positively and added a further 20 odd for the loss of just one wicket, and Josh and Lewis finished it off to reach a combined score of 322 for 5. A resounding victory. Charlie S top scored with 21, including a glorious 6 off the legs reminiscent of a Ben Stokes style shot.
So with the match won and 5 points secured, the score has been submitted to the league for verification and we eagerly await the final standings. If teams finish on the same number of points, the team with the best net run rate (runs made / allocated overs) – (runs conceded / allocated overs) will finish top of the Pool.
Regardless of the final standings, the squad have played brilliantly together this season, always supporting each other, and improving their cricket skills as individuals with the outcome of having fun and winning some matches as a team.
We look forward to celebrating their success along with the other junior teams at the end of season awards event on Friday 8th September 6pm, where all players will receive a certificate and special acknowledgement made for best batter, bowler and all-rounder in each group.
Thanks to Alex and Sophie for scoring and Dan and Dave for umpiring and coaching at Sunday’s match.
Practice as usual this Thursday……..see you there!
Written by Matt Swain & James Tilley
Summer Holiday Camps 2023 at TTCC:
Week 1: Monday 21st to Friday 25th August
Week 2: Tuesday 29th to Friday 1st September
https://www.thamecricket.org.uk/summer-holiday-courses-book-now-2023/
Would you like to join us?
TTCC U11s (Year 5 & 6) practice on Thursday evenings from 5:30pm to 6:45pm. We have a squad of 25 boys and girls who play in two Oxfordshire cricket league competitions with matches being played on Sunday mornings. The team is coached by 4 ECB qualified volunteer coaches and the clubs Overseas professional. There are regular social events throughout the season including a trip to Lords for the T20 Natwest Blast in June.
If you would like to join or find out more please contact:
James Tilley (u11@thamecricket.org.uk / 07970 212545)