Sutton U11 vs S & M. (May 18, 2010)
NO PAIN NO GAIN - SUTTON U11 OVERCOME S & M TO POST OPENING DAY
WIN.
Streatham & Marlborough U11 72 for 8 (24 overs)
Sutton U11 73
for 5 (11.1 overs)
Sutton Win By 5 Wickets
The sun made a welcome
re-appearance as the U11s travelled to Streatham and Marlborough (I
much prefer S&M) for our first game of the league season and the
longest away trip. Family and supporters were well rewarded by a good game, in
pleasant surroundings against a nice group of boys. It just shows you don't have
to do posh Surrey to enjoy a good game of colts cricket. Sutton fielded a team
comprising 3 "generations" of cricketers, short on match experience but long on
guts and skill which ultimately brought them their just rewards with a fine
victory by 5 wickets.
Winning the toss and putting S&M in to bat,
Sutton's bowlers never let the home batsmen settle. Smiling Sam Blake was
miserly and destructive in equal measure as he took 2 for 2 in 3 overs, bowling
good line and length and constantly keeping the batsmen under pressure. He was
well supported by Marcus' 2 for 13 from a maximum 4 over spell with Ayrton and
debutant Sanjay Patel each picking up a wicket apiece. In addition Sam M,
Patrick and Jonah were all tighter than a Coalition Chancellor in conceding less
than 2 runs per over.
Two good run outs, including a fantastic pick up and
direct hit from Sam Mannion, and good catches by Jaimin and Patrick completed a
workmanlike performance in the field. In truth the S&M batsmen struggled to
get bat on ball and Sutton's hesitant fielding and excessive extras count
(contributing more than half of the opposition score) would have been heavily
punished by a more experienced team. Nevertheless, despite some wayward bowling
that kept Sam G behind the stumps very busy, Sutton did well to restrict S&M
to 72 from 24 overs, although in fairness it should have been even
less.
Sutton's run chase was as cool and collected as an ex mother-law's kiss
as they knocked off the runs in only 11 overs for the loss of 5 wickets.
Ayrton
and Patrick got us off to a rapid start taking us to 20 without loss. Marcus
came in at 3 and kept up the momentum with Patrick before the latter departed
for a solid 16 leaving Sutton half way there with only 2 wickets and 6 overs
gone. A little mid innings wobble saw debutant Sanjay unfortunately run out and
Marcus and Dougie falling victim to balls that kept low and saw them depart
unable to contain their mirth at the manner of their dismissals. However,
Shanaal stood firm, batted maturely and, supported by an aggressive and match
clinching 20 not out from Jaimin, saw us through to a fine and deserved victory
at almost 7 an over. It was a demonstration of clinical and sensible batting by
both young boys that saw us through to a comfortable win and an early journey
back on the south circ.
So Sutton hit the top of the table after the first
round of matches courtesy of a high net run rate. That may of course be
impossible to maintain as tougher tests come along but we should enjoy this
performance for what it was - an excellent display of cricket by some brave
young boys not lacking in skill and application. You couldn't really ask for
more.








