With thanks to Matt H for this.
The first game of the Under-15s youth season was finally upon us, away to Old Chelmsfordians. The weather was perfect, but an unlucky combination of heavy traffic and sat nav directions resulted in a race against time to get the game started on time. Despite this, all 11 were ready and raring to go. Captain Matt H won the toss and opted to bowl first.
The opening bowling partnership of Byron P and Oscar S threatened early on, but the OCs batsmen were able to keep them out, whilst keeping the scoreboard ticking over with some quick runs on the leg side. The first change bowlers Matt H and Lucas T kept plugging away at the openers. The breakthrough finally came with the last ball of Lucas’s over with an excellently placed fuller ball beating the defence of the opening bat. This over was followed by some tidy bowling from Ekansh B and Stan S. Ekansh bowling a great line and length, giving the OCs batsmen some trouble, and Stan bowling very well for only his second match for Galleywood. This tight bowling continued, with good cameos from Henry M and Harry B. Harry was bowling a very smart length, and that proved to be the undoing of the OC’s No. 3 for 24. As we entered the final 4 overs, tight bowling for little runs was needed more than ever. Strong overs from Lucas, Henry, Byron and Ekansh finishing the innings off well. Toby and Adam fielded especially well at the death to keep the run rate down. Galleywood were set 120 runs to win from 20 overs - 6 an over.
Oscar and Ekansh went out to bat knowing exactly what had to be done. The openers started well, running quickly between the wickets and picking up some good runs. Oscar played some signature shots including a powerful 6. However, it was Ekansh who fell first for 10 in the 8th over. Matt came in at 3, and with Oscar started to score some quick runs and put pressure on the OCs bowlers. In the 12th over, Oscar finally fell for an entertaining 32, being caught at midwicket. As Charlie D went out to the middle, 44 runs were needed from the remaining 8 overs. Some good bowling from OCs initially stifled the Galleywood chase, but some smart shots from Matt and Charlie countered this. However, an unfortunate mix-up resulted in Matt falling for 16, run out. Out came Byron, and the crowd were ready for some box office fireworks to finish off the game. They were not disappointed, as two powerful cover drives took the pressure off Galleywood, and they were able to close out the game with an over to spare.
Galleywood win by 7 wickets!