Crushing win for RCC U11Bs over Hampton Hill

A glorious sunny evening was given the performance it demanded on Wednesday as Richmond U11Bs comprehensively outplayed Hampton Hill for a crushing victory.

Our innings was a model for limited overs cricket as a solid start allowed later batsman to accelerate and then eventually thrash and our total of 147-4 was always out of reach for the visitors, who reached 91-4 off their 20 overs - bowled by all 11 of our players.

We were put in to bat. Oisin S and Shay D opened and were never troubled, showing good shot selection to protect their wickets while dispatching the bad balls. Oisin eventually went for 18 and Shay retired soon after on 15 with a great platform in place. George B, with an excellent 22, and Ed H pushed the accelerator before Finn P and Rory P, both still recovering from meeting in the final of the Richmond Borough Basketball tournament 90 minutes earlier*, came to the crease. They put together a superb attacking partnership, mixing big hits with scampered singles, and were unbeaten at the end, with Rory on 27 and Finn 13. It actually could have been even better as many of their best shots went straight to fielders and the Hampton Hill boys were pretty sharp and let almost nothing through. Still, it was a good tally and with plenty of bowling in the ranks, we looked in good shape.

And so it proved. All 11 boys got to bowl, nine of them two overs and two getting just one. We too four wickets, including one superb run out involving a "pass" and a direct hit (can't remember the boys involved but well done) but they also retired a few so there was a good turnover as we kept the pressure on an admittedly pretty thin batting lineup.

Osian J switched from wicketkeeper to bowler and delivered two accurate maidens while Max M did it the other way round and turned in an excellent stint behind the stumps for the second 10 overs. Overall the bowling was good and consistent and with only eight wides and a no-ball, a massive improvement on Sunday's outing. Our weak point was byes. Having leaked a load in the opening few overs we spent the rest of the match with a short back-stop and another behind him to plug the leak. It worked but is a waste of a fielder so wicketkeeping is an area we need to improve - and seek volunteers for.

Good points: - Good aggressive batting, some very good running between the wickets in the later stages, consistent bowling, sharp and safe fielding, good team spirit.

Work-ons. It took us a LONG time to start identifying and taking quick singles and some players are still failing to deliver loud clear calls. Wicketkeeping - we shipped 13 byes, most of them through rather than beyond the keeper, so we need to find some time to deliver some coaching in this area.

Sledging. In the light of Tom's note it was very disappointing to hear one of our boys ridiculing a misfield by an opposition player. He was immediately reprimanded by the dads on the line and as umpire I apologized to the boys and their coach.
Parents, please reinforce Tom's message that any sort of calling or shouting that is aimed at the opposition rather than at encouraging our own boys is absolutely verboten.

That was a very minor blip, however, in a great performance played in a good spirit on both sides.

*Rory's Vineyard beat Finn's Marshgate in the final to become Richmond Borough Champions.