Richmond U11As Snatch Defeat from the Jaws of Victory.

An away game at Teddington is always a good measure of how our U11As are progressing. Our team played Teddington twice last year as U10s, and although we beat them both times, we know from experience that they always present a tough challenge.

Richmond won the toss and chose to bat. Our plan was to push from the start, and try to post a big score. Unfortunately this idea was scuppered with a flurry of early wickets. Three of these were run-outs that looked to be close (but fair) decisions. Without the benefit of a replay, it’s hard to say whether the calls were too sharp or the running too slow. However, one thing that can be said with certainty is that the Teddington fielding that led to the run-outs was excellent work. Whilst our team was not short of batting, these wickets caused the run rate to slow. After 10 overs, the score was only 38, which was well behind the required pace. Having opened, Hugo was still at the crease, and with the help of some handy middle order hitting from Finlay W, Charlotte and Findlay B, 78 runs were added over the last 10 overs for a final score of 116 for 7. Whilst this was short of the target, it was still a reasonable score. Anchoring the innings from start to finish was the ever-classy Hugo, who scored a very fine 52 before finally losing his wicket attempting a big one over the top on the last ball of the innings.

Such is the strength of the RCCU11A bowling attack that 116 should have been enough. However, the Teddington opening pair started their innings very well, reaching 43 for 0 off 7. Then the wickets started to tumble. Charlotte and Oscar broke the opening pair, combining seamlessly for the first of three run-outs. Five more wickets quickly followed to leave Teddington on 112 for 6 off 19. With five runs needed off the last over, the Teddington batsmen stood tall and delivered the coup de gras with only 4 balls left of the innings.

It’s no disgrace to lose to this Teddington team. But even so, this was a game that Richmond should have won. Richmond out-batted and out-bowled Teddington. It was the fielding that led to the loss…..the simple stuff - over-throws, playing footsie with the ball instead of using hands, the long barrier! In truth Teddington were gifted 20 to 30 runs that should have never gone in the book.

Man of the match: Hugo for a brilliant 52.
Special mention: Charlotte for showing the boys how to field properly.