Wield U9's vs Stratfield, Saturday 15th June
The day started windy but bright and it looked as if we’d have a full game. The weather has turned and was familiarly blowing down the Wield ground from west to east, channelled by the valley and swinging the ball nicely. Oliver took on the mantle of captaincy, won the toss and put Stratfield Turgis into bat. Bruce and Ellie opened and after bowling one in Ellie’s final over Wield pegged Stratfield Turgis back to 206. Gilbert and Charlie came to their creases and 3 further wickets fell, one of them a good catch by Edward and another a fine bowled by Charlie. Barney and Edward arrived and 3 more wickets fell, Ellie taking two fine catches at point and Barney clean bowling one. The wind was blowing hard now and the clouds were gathering. Oliver and Wilf sensed the urgency – another 3 wickets including an outstanding run out with a direct hit from deep mid off by Gilbert and Stratfield Turgis’ innings ended on 198-10.
Then the traditional Wield Tea arrived, and what a tea it was. Moonroast coffee (www.moonroast.co.uk) made its first appearance on the ground thanks to Judy, rich and dark, full but fresh flavoured warming us all up as we considered the equally dark clouds. Flapjacks from Emma added to the delicious break and we hurried back for the Wield innings. Ellie and Bruce got underway swiftly, losing two wickets to fine bowling by Stratfield Turgis’ Max but taking the score after the first four overs to 218 after a 6 and a 4 from Ellie and a 4 by Bruce. Quickly switching over Charlie and Gilbert came in and equally quickly we had our first rain break. When we got back underway Gilbert hit a flurry of 4s and a 6 to move the score onto 249 after the first 8 overs. Charlie was completely bamboozled by a fine ball from Luke (Stratfield Turgis’ mystery slow left-armer) and ended up hitting his wicket trying to hook out to fine leg. And another rain break. Edward and Barney hurried in and scampered between the wickets taking every opportunity for runs – overthrows, byes and cheeky singles. Barney hit three 4s and the score managed to get to 275 before the rain really started to come down. We waited and waited and the ground became wetter and wetter. Eventually the coaches decided the game could not continue and Stratfield Turgis made the very sporting concession of the game.
Rupert Cazalet