A tense finish sees U15’s triumphant

Well this was quite a match and it’s going to be hard to beat for excitement this season!
Before I recount the events of Sunday 26th, I just want to add a coda to the last report on the match against Borderers. I forgot to add that Felix took a hatrick in that game, with the last two balls of one over and the first of his next.. No mean achievement.. But more of him later..

Bells Yew Green were always going to be tough opposition and Archie, on winning the toss, elected to field. I think he likes to have a total set to chase! The opening bowling partnership set about their task with relish and were too strong for the Bells Yew Green batsmen. Dishan and Felix quickly reduced the opposition to 25 for 4. This brought Sooraj and Isaac to the wicket and they made a BYG recovery with some fine and confident batting. Both of them retired on the alloted 35 runs. The next wicket did not fall until the score was 102, putting a very different perspective, on the way the match was to go. Archie called on Matt Peek to bowl even though he was recovering from injury and his bowling was penetrating enough to take three of the remaining wickets, bringing both Sooraj and Isaac back to the wicket. The final score was 140, a spirited recovery from 25 for 4!
Linden Park's task was a big one, after it became clear that BYG's bowling attack was determined to bring victory to the visitors. The opening partnership of Matt and Ollie and then of Patrick, doggedly saw off a blistering session of bowling, before Patrick drove a ball straight to Adam Parker . Archie put on 10 before being Yorked by Freddie Reid and Jake joined Matt who shortly after had to retire on 35, a fine innings under trying conditions. He has surely cemented his position as a opening bat. There now followed three quick wickets; some good bowling changes meant that ,after 16 overs, Linden were 74 for six! Bells Yew Green were sensing victory as Dishan came to the crease..and in short order scored 17 runs including a terrific six flicked off his legs, before swinging at a ball and being bowled by Felix Barrow. This left the Park 28 runs short with just about the same number of balls to receive. Felix who proclaimed himself, 'not a batsmen', then scored 20 off 9 deliveries, tying the scores! Jake who had dug in, for 28 vital runs, then attempted a quick single and realised his mistake, but was stumped by Ben Truscott. Scores level, one over left. The first ball Felix missed but the second he flicked round the corner with enough power to see it land safely and roll over the rope for four. 24 runs and three wickets, all with the heroics of Ben Stokes, earning him Man of the Match and Linden Park a nail-biting victory by 2 wickets. Another strong contender for MOM was Matt Peek who retired on 35 and took three wickets; but for sheer audacity Felix knicked it!
A terrific match and a real shot in the arm for the u15 team, just before most of them have a big series of games in the next two weeks. Junior cricket at Linden Park has a lot to commend it. Well done guys.
Match Report By James Simmons