U10s make NEC Final! (
July 21, 2009)
U10 NECSC Zone B v Old Whits [Sutton win by 134 runs]
Old Whits 153 for 16 (sixteen);
Sutton 287 for 5.
Just Too Good To Be True
Sutton U10s signed off in style for the regular season with a comprehensive 134 run victory over Old Whits at Whitgift School.
After 11 league games Sutton remain unbeaten with 9 wins and only rain denying us a further 2 victories earlier in the season. After a lacklustre performance last week Sutton put their match heads on, rolled up their sleeves and turned on the style to the extent that from the first over this result was never in doubt. Some people seemed to think the big match of the day was at Lords - what fools! This was where the action was at. The boys deserve a Finals Day party as they have been a top group of chaps who not only know how to win, but also how to do it with good grace, with spirit, whilst always showing respect to the opposition.
We could almost feel the focus as the boys warmed up; they were dispatched to bowl first with only one simple instruction - to keep the pressure on from the start and not let the batsmen settle - and boy did they do just that. It's not certain that either of the 2 openers actually stayed at the same end for more than a ball as the wickets fell faster than Geordies on a Friday night in the Bigg Market. Neale-Smith and Mannion blew them away with 2 and 3 wickets respectively, which when added to 2 brilliant run outs from the Howitzer-like arm of Kennett, left OW at minus 31 after the first pair.
There was to be no let up as the Sutton bowlers and fielders continued to build pressure on a fragile batting line up that sunk to minus 63 by mid-innings. Lekan and Ethan also picked up 2 wickets each, with the 3 Tweakers (Steady, Blakey and Jordany) getting one each and the aptly nicknamed Buzz Ratna picking up his scalp in-between creating the first "wasp-stopped-play" incident in the history of cricket. Typhoon Kennett was unlucky (although it was planned of course!) to bowl his 2 overs to Kieron Patel who defended stoutly and at least provided a contest for a couple of overs. The fielding was simply stunning with everyone putting their bodies on the line with great stops and catches. The throwing was near perfect with Matthew for once being able to use his gloves rather than his head, chest, and legs to stop and collect the ball. At no time did the boys relax in restricting Old Whits to a final 153. Ruthless.
It's not really possible to "chase" 153 (or minus 47) but the plan to show the crowd that we were best with the bat as well as ball really paid off. At one point Sutton had reached over 300 in reply before a flurry of late wickets at the end pegged us back to 287. Blakey (18), HNS (14 n/o), and Fred (11) reached double figures but all pairs contributed to the total with sensible batting. Spookily, both Fred and Dot Ball Mannion reached exactly 100 not out (balls faced in season not runs in the game!) in the same game, typifying how no Sutton batsman ever gives his wicket away cheaply in pursuit of any total. HNS joined Fenwick, Hopper and Jordan in passing 100 runs for the season, and Sam also joined Patrick in passing 10 wickets for the season too. Nice game to reach some significant milestones.
So we're off to the final on August 30th against Spencer to be played at Beddington. It will be a tough game as they bristle with District and Surrey players but if we put in anywhere near this type of performance we will be hard to beat. For this final match report of the season I hope you will indulge me as I leave you with a selection of words from a great Andy Williams song which as a young man I would sing (shout) at the back of a coach returning from rugby/cricket matches or in the bar after home games. It sort of summed up what I was feeling as I stood in the middle on Sunday and I hummed it all morning. I promise a rendition with all the dads in the bar at Beddington if the result goes our way, just before Prabha does his celebratory body surfing down the nearest grassy bank. Thanks to the boys for a great season. Enjoy your holidays - I'll be in The Priory if anyone wants me.
........................
.......
Pardon the way that I stare
Theres nothing else to compare
The sight of you leaves me weak
There are no words left to speak.......
Can't take my eyes of you
You're just to good to be true
(big build up here we go)
da-da-da-da, da-da-da-da-ta da
da-da-da-da, da-da-da-da-ta da
etc etc (for several hours)
Bob
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