County Under 12 Results
Wiltshire v Cardiff & Vale - Sunday 13th July @ Cowbridge CC
Scorecard - A disappointing day in Wales for the Wiltshire Under 12’s. The match had been under threat all week due to the heavy rain but the Cowbridge Cricket Club did manage to prepare a wicket and we were greeted by warm sunshine on arrival. Unfortunately the strip was a little soft and green so after winning the toss Wiltshire elected to bowl first and to put pressure on the Cardiff and Vale batsmen. The tactic appeared to work as the Welsh side made a slow start reaching 21 for 2 after ten overs. The introduction of the two spinners Jack Richards and Harry Brothwood brought immediate dividends with Cardiff and Vale reduced to 66 for 5 after 20 overs and the pressure continued ensuring that by the 30th over the score had only progressed to 94 for 7. It was the last ten overs that cost Wiltshire dear. Only one more wicket was to fall and Cardiff and Vale finished on 153 for 8 after 40 overs, with 45 runs being added in the last 5. It was a poor bowling performance by Wiltshire with only Jack Richards taking 3 for 32 off 6 overs and Harry Brothwood 2 for 24 off 8 overs bowling to their potential.
It was imperative that Wiltshire make a solid start but by the end of the third over 3 wickets had fallen for 10 runs. Tom Whittaker and Duncan Lorrain set about restoring the innings and slowly began to build a partnership. At the start of the 20th over Wiltshire had reached 63 for 3 and were back in the game. However Tom Whittaker was bowled for 32 trying to force the pace to be soon followed by Duncan Lorrain for 19. This proved to be the only real partnership of the innings with Wiltshire subsiding to 97 for 7 after 30 overs. The innings ended in the last over when Kieran Gibson was caught and bowled for a patient 11 runs.
Wiltshire were all out for 129 losing by 24 runs.
Wiltshire lost by 24 runs
Wiltshire v Berkshire - Monday 8th July @ Wellington College
The Wiltshire Under 12’s travelled to play Berkshire more in hope than expectation. The weather over the week-end leading up to the game had been dreadful but a decision was taken to travel and await the worst of the British summer. We arrived in glorious sunshine at the picturesque ground within Wellington College.
The pitch was dry but a little soft. Berkshire won the toss and elected to bat. The two openers made steady progress and by twenty overs had reached 71 without loss. Wiltshire’s bowling and fielding remained tight but the side desperately needed a wicket. It did not arrive until the 25th over when Jack Richards had Alex Hess caught for 66 with the score on 98. Berkshire accelerated from this point adding 67 in the next ten overs and 36 in the last five. The highlight for Wiltshire was Joe Stevens taking two wickets in two balls both caught by Cam Gordon at deep midwicket. The two players were making their debuts for Wiltshire. Berkshire finished on 201 for 5 after their 40 overs.
Wiltshire set about their reply but quickly lost James Gillespie run out for 1. Jack Hurley and Tom Alsop then combined to build a solid partnership of 57. Wiltshire remained on target to chase the runs but then lost wickets at crucial times. Tom Alsop was caught at mid off for 33 just as he was looking to increase the run rate. Tom Whittaker joined Jack Hurley at the crease and tried to maintain the momentum. Together they added a further 21 runs before he also perished for 12 trying to pierce a tight Berkshire fielding ring. Duncan Lorain joined Jack Hurley at the crease and they also added a further 20 runs before Jack was caught for a patient 29 runs leaving Wiltshire 88 for 3 after 22 overs. The decision was taken to try to chase down the total but unfortunately no one could stay with Duncan to build a substantial partnership. Wiltshire finished on 123 for 8 off their 40 overs with Duncan Lorain 23 not out.
Result: The game finished as a draw with Wiltshire recognising that they probably allowed Berkshire 30 runs too many in the field and did not build sufficient partnerships to seriously challenge a very good total on a relatively small ground
Wiltshire v Dorset - Sunday 15th June 2008
Scorecard - The Wiltshire Under 12’s played their second match of the season against Dorset in the splendid surroundings of Bryanston School located on a 400 acre site just outside Blandford Forum. With the threat of rain in the air Dorset won the toss and asked Wiltshire to have first use of an excellent batting surface. Unfortunately Wiltshire did not take advantage of the conditions and struggled to 36 for 4 at the end of the 15th over having been contained by some tight Dorset bowling. Only one batsman, the captain Duncan Lorrain, managed to establish himself compiling a solid 40 of 86 balls. No other batsman reached double figures as Wiltshire were dismissed for 84 in the 39th over.
As tea was taken the heavens opened and the long promised rain finally arrived leaving puddles on the outfield and a very sodden square. It looked likely that the game would have to be abandoned but after a 90 minute delay Dorset finally began their reply set 43 to win off a maximum of 20 overs. A determined Wiltshire team took the field and restricted Dorset to 15 for 1 at the end of the 6th over with Joe Clare and Dan Holewell completing fine opening spells. Arun Leyhal and Jack Richard maintained the pressure and after 10 overs Dorset were struggling at 24 for 4. An unlikely victory looked possible at the end of the 15th over when Jack Richard took his 4th wicket reducing Dorset to 34 for 7. However it was not to be as Dorset scored the winning run off the first ball of the 20th over finishing on 44 for 8 with Jack Richards ending with figures of 4 wickets for 11 runs of 6.1 overs.
Wiltshire made Dorset fight extremely hard for their victory. As a team they did not drop their heads, maintained a great spirit with the fielders backing up some fine bowling. A disappointing result but a great game despite the rain.
Wiltshire lost by 2 wickets
Wiltshire v Gwent - 9th June 2008
Scorecard - The Wiltshire Under 12’s team played their first match of the season against Gwent on a glorious sunny afternoon at the very picturesque Purton ground. Gwent won the toss and elected to bat on a pitch that looked ideal for batting. Dan Holewell and Joe Clare opened the bowling and restricted Gwent to 24 runs after 8 overs. There were sharp chances to slip and gully in the opening exchanges but none were taken. The two openers settled in and moved the score to 79 for no wicket at the end of the 23rd over as Arun Leyhal and James Richardson continued to bowl tightly.
There was lots of encouragement from the Wiltshire fielders that showed an excellent team spirit and perseverance on a very hot afternoon. Their efforts were soon rewarded with Tom Alsop bowling the opening batsman quickly followed by Tom Whittaker taking a sharp chance off the bowling of Jack Richards to remove the other opener. Three run outs followed as spinners Tom Alsop and Jack Richards maintained tight lines to restrict Gwent’s scoring.
At the end of the 33rd over Gwent had been reduced to 96 for 5 before some good late hitting got them to the respectable score of 140 for 6 at the end of forty overs with Dan Holewell chipping in with the final wicket.
Wiltshire’s innings got off to a solid start with Jack Hurley and James Gillespie putting on 27 in 9 overs before Jack was given out leg before for 12 runs. The fall of the wicket brought Tom Alsop to the crease who gradually took the game away from Gwent. The pair added 85 in19 overs before James Gillespie was caught for 28 with the Wiltshire score on 112.
Wiltshire appeared to be cruising to victory as Tom Alsop and Tom Whittaker added a further 19 runs before Tom Alsop fell to a fine catch at mid on for 64 runs leaving Wiltshire 10 to win with 7 wickets in hand and 13 overs to spare. Unfortunately Lay Durafe, Kieran Gibson and Joe Clare were all out without scoring leaving Dan Holewell and James Richardson at the crease when the winning run was scored in the 35th over. The final score of 141 for 7 after 34.5 overs saw Wiltshire the winners by 3 wickets
Overall a fine performance from the Wiltshire team that highlighted their all round strength in batting, bowling and fielding.
Thank you to Purton Cricket club for hosting the game and looking after both sides splendidly.
