RCC U11As rediscover league form with comprehensive win over Sheen Park

On a sunny evening up at Sheen Common, RCC U11As rediscovered their winning ways with a thoroughly comprehensive win over Sheen Park.

RCC U11As were captained by Oscar Y, who duly won the toss and elected to bat first.

We opened with Leo H and Anirudh S, who set about posting a first wicket partnership worth 116, during which there was maybe one half chance given to the opposition. Both batsmen rotated the strike well keeping pressure on the Sheen Park bowlers, punctuated by some glorious fours (the pick from Ani with a glorious off drive). The rate at which the score accumulated seemingly got to some of the Sheen Park bowlers who wilted somewhat under the pressure and ended up gifting us with a shower of wides and no balls (some 40 runs in total). By the time Leo's great innings (40) came to an end, we were sitting pretty with just over 4 overs still to play and already close to 120 runs on the board. In came, Nikhil M and shortly after Ani's innings (a commendable 37) also came to an end with a run out mix up. Then came Finlay W and between him and Nikhil we put on another 30 runs, including one almighty six from Finlay over the head of deep square leg. He ended not out on 16 and Nikhil not out on 15, with the score after 20 overs at 155-2.

This was always going to be a tough score to chase down, however was made all the harder by some frugal bowling from Findlay B, Sam G, Jack F and James J in the first 8 overs, with only 30 runs conceded. Then in the 9th over Neil P got the breakthrough with Finlay W taking a nice catch. The very next over James J ran out Sheen Park's best batsman, further tightening the screw. Then 2 overs later another wicket fell off the first ball of Finlay W's first over, a rather splendid head high catch by Findlay B to a ball travelling at pace. Over 12 and Sheen Park were 51 for 3, requiring 105 from 48 balls. A few more frugal overs from Leo, Finlay and Neil ensured the scoreboard was never able to pick up to the required rate, so when Findlay and Sam returned the ask was too much. To cap off a good win, Findlay got his first wicket off the first ball of the final over, a catch by Nikhil, while Oscar managed a cracking run out later in the over as Sheen Park searched for a cheeky second. Sheen Park finished their 20 overs on 105-5, some 50 runs in arrears.

RCC U11As therefore won by 50 runs.

There were a lot of positives to take from this game, with regards the general fielding, lack of extras compared with other games, and the general team spirit was great. Oscar Y had another great game behind the stumps, while I was impressed with the way James J, Jack F and Neil P bowled. However for me the MOTM for his outstanding innings of 40 runs is Leo H.