“ARE YOU WATCHING ENGER-LAND
!”..(err…..
not any more)
Sutton U11 163 for 3 (24 overs)
Old Whitgiftians U11 94 for 7 (24 overs)
Sutton Win By 69 runs
Sutton’s hottest batting performance of the season roasted
Old Whits in an incident packed match played in boiling hot conditions on our
only visit to Holmwood Close this season.
Our unbeaten league campaign continues and if this form is maintained
it’s difficult to see it coming to an end.
There was a constant stream of batsmen trudging back to the pavilion
during Sutton’s innings but the majority were retiring either on grounds of
injury or having reached the maximum permissible 30 runs, resulting in Sutton
posting a season best score of 163 which actually flattered the opposition a
little.
In the field Sutton were
creative and thoughtful, and by bowling straight yet again kept OW at bay
throughout for a convincing win.
Cap’n Josh won the toss and decided to bat and set a target that would put OW under pressure, safe in the knowledge of how strong our bowling attack had proved over the last few weeks. Openers Patrick and Owen got off to a quick start against good opening bowlers, adding 16 before Patrick departed to a return catch to the bowler off a lifter. Owen’s innings was interrupted by a brief interlude for undercarriage repairs as he took the first painful blow of the day, but he returned to continue on to a good 26, adding 27 with anchor man Blake who was in his element using good technique to exploit the fast outfield to score at almost a run a ball but without ever needing to thrash at anything. The major partnership in mid innings was provided by Josh and Matthew adding 56 in even time and running themselves into the ground for the cause, both retiring having past 30 and a stone lighter between them. Enter Jack and Lekan both finally getting the chance to bat for a few overs in more relaxed circumstances. They exploited it to the full adding another 40-odd including a six from Jack that he guided past the crowd and into the pavilion kitchen resulting in a biscuit raid by Patrick being stopped at source as he attempted to sneak in undetected for a sixth Penguin. It was then Jack’s turn to retire hurt on 18 taking a beamer to the arm that left an imprint of the makers name; aah his first tattoo, and not a Black Cat or an SUFC in sight. It was good to see Lek get a solid 15 and only falling to the last ball of the innings for 15, and to see Ethan get in at the close to show us how he can manipulate the ball sweetly around the field.
So the captain had his big target, and went into the field with a game plan to restrict OW at the start of the innings with constant changes to the field to keep the more dangerous batsmen off strike. Not popular with fielders constantly on the move in scorching conditions but a match winning strategy nonetheless. In truth, straight Sutton bowling and tight fielding never allowed OW to get anywhere near the required rate of almost 7. Sam G typified the effort with 3 cracking stops that saved 4s, and one in particular that saw him rotate through 720 degrees searching for the ball after stopping it. Jack chipped in with his standard wicket, catch and a run-out despite the throbbing forearm, and Ayrton and Lekan bowled their best spells of the season despite not taking a wicket. Josh bowled a superb spell of leg spin taking 3 for 6 and Sam M and Owen chipped in with a scalp each to leave OW adrift at 94 for 7 as the innings closed and the victory was sealed.
It was a terrific win played in a great spirit against another team we have come to know well and get on with famously. Old Whits continue to improve as an outfit and our games get better every year. It was a smart move to have the oppo captain in a red hat as it was easy to forget he was there at times so quiet and contemplative was he in the field. Get him on the outfield mic like in 20-20 I say. So, a superb match, a great win, some excellent individual performances, well officiated and no controversy or moaning. And then of course there was the England game…….
