Match Report
New Forest U11 v Guernsey
Sunday 25 May 08
It was overcast and grey, the grass was wet and we decided to play on the artificial wicket, but we decided to play! The forecast had been consistently awful all week and I had planned to go sailing - you can do that in the rain and the strong winds would have made it great sport! However, the weather improved steadily and by late afternoon it was fine and sunny (at times).
New Forest won the toss and decided to bat first. Guernsey were a very well organised and efficient fielding team and runs were hard to find initially, but the openers got off to a solid start. Two run-outs in quick order saw the visitors seize the initiative. They then unleashed J Alexander who proved the value of slow bowling and took 5 wickets for 22 runs from his 8 overs (3 bowled, 1 LBW and 1 caught). He was also involved in a crucial run-out. It was left to the final pair to steady he ship and they put on a dogged and absolutely vital 35 before a soft shot finished the innings in the 37th over. Luke E top-scored with 19 which included some impressive hitting. The final total was 109.
New forest took to the field knowing that they would have to play at the top of their game to defend the slim total and the opening bowlers set just the right tone. In the first 8 overs just 2 runs came off the bat and Guernsey were 9 for 1. Harris and Oxburgh batted steadily to a well thought out plan and made relentless progress toward their target, finishing on 25 and 20. Guernsey reached their target after 37 overs, but the result was far from certain until the last couple of overs. Patrick O bowled very nicely and finished with figures of 8-2 12-2. Unfortunately, the number of extras conceded by New Forest was excessive and, in the end, decisive; 30 wides and 5 no-balls was simply too much.
Guernsey won by 6 wickets, after a well disciplined and organised team effort. A very worthwhile match which the players will all learn from, and which the spectators enjoyed - particularly the bus driver!
Our thanks go to Tony Leadbetter, Andy Vane and Martin Donovan who umpired the match expertly, and to Kieran Moors for scoring. Thanks also to Max Smith who was a great asset running the team as coach. Louise Newman did a great job in arranging a very popular and successful tea, thanks to her and all the others who contributed to the catering.
Final thanks must go the Forres Sandle Manor School who gave us use of their fantastic facilities, and could not have done more to help make this match possible.