U11 As vs Stoke Newington

Second match of the season and a bit of light rain just before the start almost spoiled the party, turning a chilly evening a little damp and making for a tricky wicket with a long boundary. Would this change in conditions make things difficult? Read on – judging by what happened the answer was probably yes!

Stoke Newington won the toss and opted to bat. FCC opening bowlers Rishi Mehta and Matias Gura started strong, and despite a dropped slip catch and a missed run-out they soon reduced the opposition to 7 for 2 after 4 overs, one each for Rishi and Matias. Judah Ndukwe then joined the attack with pace - almost unplayable! – ably supported by Sonny Synett, both bowlers keeping the pressure on. First boundary came in the 6th over, with batting looking difficult. The third wicket fell to Sonny, clean bowled. 22 for 3 after 8, with Seb Burns now turning the screw with a maiden. Then a sharp slip catch by Nico Ponzoni Kirkham, redeeming himself for an earlier spill. 36 for 4 after 12. Aarav smashed the wickets but on a no ball in the 13th - then repeated the feat but with a legitimate delivery for the 5th wicket next ball! Nico took the 6th wicket, bowled through the gate with a slower ball, then his second of the match in the 16th taking score to 52 for 7. Rayaan Alibhai then cleaned the innings up with 3 quick fire wickets, with consistent and almost unplayable deliveries. All out for 63 in exactly 20 overs - surely chaseable?!

Rayaan and Nico opened the batting in response as the sun came out again. A difficult first over – a maiden – presaged what was to come. And how inspirational to see two girls opening the bowling for Stoke Newington. Rayaan was first out in the 3rd over – caught and bowled. Scoring was slow with a sense of pressure being applied. First boundary not until the 4th over, from Rishi – who was then bowled for 8 in the 5th. With Elliott Kennedy next in and clean bowled first ball, we were starting to get a little concerned on the boundary. Aarav survived the hat trick ball, and with Nico they steadied the ship - 36 for 3 after 6, more than half-way with overs to spare, surely an easy finish! Then Aarav was out caught for 9 - with 20 runs still needed.

Sonny launched a beautiful four then - caught on the boundary. Nerves! Nico cleaned bowled after a steady and patient stay at the crease, and at 52 for 6…surely we couldn’t lose this? But Seyaan Patel was clean bowled and at 54 for 7 it was fingernail shredding time. Until Judah strode to the crease and, no messing about, smashed 2 straight fours, and with a mis-field and 4 byes the game was won by 3 wickets.

Two wins out of two but a lot of lessons learned about chasing a small total in tricky conditions!

**Match Report by Paul Kirkham