U10s march on! (June 22, 2009)
U10 NECSC Zone B v Addiscombe [Sutton win by 110 runs]
Addiscombe 196 for 11
Sutton 306 for 2
Big Cheese
Sutton reinforced their grip on the summit of the Zone B table with a ruthless display against (joint) 2nd placed Addiscombe. The assembled dads had no doubt dreamed of enjoying the usual relaxed breakfast in bed and being showered with cards and those useful gifts from appreciative offspring earlier in the morning. Then they woke up and realised it was just another Sunday and they best get their backsides in gear, pack the car, and get their sons to the cricket. No matter, their sons (and one daughter) gave us the Father's Day treat we, of course, richly deserve.
Wearing crampons and attached to anchorman Andy Leonard by safety ropes, the Sutton captain was lowered down the slope to the pitch, assessed it carefully and decided to bowl first after winning the toss (nothing if not a consistent approach). There was a thought that instead of cricket we could have had one of those wacky Easter games where daft Gloucester-men chase a big cheese down a steep hill but we thought better of it (sadly no cheese) and set about the Addiscombe batsmen instead.
Bowlers with one leg shorter than the other were much advantaged, helping as it would to keep run ups straight. However, somewhat illogically and in spite of the slope the Sutton bowlers produced their best bowling performance of the season. After a four hit over the precipice off the first ball, Addiscombe never really came to terms with accurate pace and beguiling spin bowling. Sutton bowled only 5 wides - at least half of what we have averaged thus far this season - and took 11 wickets to restrict our hosts to 196. Steady Freddie Boys in particular adapted to the conditions brilliantly in taking 3 for 5 with accurate left arm Chinamen that were turning 90 degrees and flummoxing the opposition batsmen. Lekan, Jack and Patrick also chipped in with a wicket each but the highlight of the innings was our fielding which also reached a season high standard. Freddie and Harry took great catches and there was a flurry of 5 run outs as Sutton capitalised on hesitant and over-ambitious running. Matthew again had a good day behind the stumps with a stumping, a run-out and a number of good stops.
All in all it was a much improved fielding performance, bolstered by the graceful Orla in the outfield who had stepped in to help due to Harrison falling ill at the last minute.
Sutton's batting display was equally destructive. Jack and Lekan set about the bowlers from the start, blasting a forceful 31 with Jack picking up 20no (four 4s) and getting some tennis serving practice in along the way. Harry N-S (12no) and Sam M consolidated with 19 at pair 2 and Gus and Freddie 11 at pair 3. The Big Bat and Patrick compiled another big partnership adding 40 at pair four including 19 off one over and with Jamie hitting 19 (four 4s) and Patrick 15no.
The boys as ever remained cooler than the Fonz taking a walk in the Arctic, unlike their manager who disgraced himself by screaming at Patrick not to take a second run because Jamie had slipped and fallen, only to realise it was the wicketkeeper on the floor. Thankfully, and as usual, he took no notice. Matthew entered to bat with a runner for 2 overs as our stand-in batter had found herself a little indisposed just prior to batting. No worries, as The Deckchair smacked a quick-fire 21no (four 4s, again!) and, despite the loss of 16 penalty runs, Sutton amassed an excellent 306 and losing only 2 wickets in the process.
The result leaves Sutton top of the table with four games to go, and with no-one able to catch us if we win our remaining fixtures. The boys are growing in confidence and in fairness we could put 2 teams out each week that could do well in this league. We have lost just 10 wickets in 5 completed league games; have 6 batsmen with over 50 runs and a bowling attack that is second to none and bristling with variety and hostility in equal measure; if we continue to field like we did in this game then no-one can live with us.
In truth, so much happened in this game I could fill another page but I'll resist in the interests of your time and my career. These boys are giving the manager the hardest but healthiest of selection headaches. Smashing.
Bob Click here to return to the SCC: Colts News page
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