U11 As vs North Middlesex

On a lovely late April evening that tempted with summer promise while reminding those present that winter was not quite past, our u11 A team started the season as they surely mean to go on – with a resounding win against one of the best teams in the league!

Winning the toss and choosing to bat, FCC put on a sound opening partnership of 40 runs at a brisk pace, with openers Nico Ponzoni Kirkham and Rayaan Alibhai overcoming some early nerves and setting the tone for the rest of the game.

Captain Rishi Mehta and Elliot Kennedy then capitalised on some loose deliveries to produce a scintillating partnership of 72 replete with boundaries for the third wicket, followed by a quick-fire cameo from Jake Schapkaitz and a few more lower-order runs which took the team to an impressive 154 for 5 in their 20 overs.

North Middlesex would have been wondering how to approach such a big run chase, especially knowing that FCC count on exciting fast bowlers who have pace, bounce and swing combined with some testing spinners. Nico and Rishi opened the bowling and established the tone, and despite some decent batting there was a steady loss of wickets which put pressure on run rate. At 65 for 4 by the 10th over they were already well behind the required rate.

With fantastic fielding all round (and a truly outstanding catch by Judah Ndukwe at square leg which needs special mention!) and working as a team, the bowlers continued to keep the pressure on the batting side. Ultimately Aryan Bavishi took 4 wickets and Matias Gura 2, with the other bowlers sharing the spoils to restrict North Middlesex to 118 for 9 in their 20 overs, a comfortable win by 36 runs for FCC.

What a start to the season – and bring on the next challenge!’

**Match Report by Paul Kirkham