Wield U9's vs Fleet U9's, Saturday 12 July
Wield, 248-10 beat Fleet 247-8 by one run
If June is “Flaming” what does that make July? Before we had even started it was so hot we all retreated to the shade of the beech trees and considered our options...let’s just enjoy it, the last game of the season, get a fifth win, go for it! Captain Wilf uncharacteristically lost the toss and Wield was put into bat. Gilbert and Thomas opened and... wickets tumbled! Now that was not a start we were expecting, five down after the first four overs and the score languishing on 191, we needed to settle down a little. Oli and Maddy arrived at the crease and...more wickets crashed around us! The first five had been four bowled and a single catch, these three were all catches and Wield was looking at 186-8 after the first half of the game, unbelievable, we REALLY needed to settle down, have a drink of water and re-group. Harry and Jacob trotted out and the fight-back commenced. Jacob hit his customary 4 and Harry knocked off some sneaky singles so while our dignity was not fully restored at least it was very clear what the last pair had to do - Wield had struggled back to 200-9. As we were playing with 7 Gilbert came back into bat and joined Wilf to try and get over his earlier disaster. Fortunately this time the runs flowed. Gilbert went berserk and scored 26 (including four 4s) not losing a further wicket while Wilf cut loose with 23 (two 4s and a 6) and an unfortunate bowled off the last ball taking the score with extras up to a respectable 248-10.
A shady and refreshing tea arrived thanks to Carol’s organisation and Lucy’s brownies, thankfully relieving us from the ups and downs of that first extraordinary innings! The teas at Wield have been fantastic this year, thank you to all the helpers and contributors. Sadly this has not been replicated in any of our away games, something that has been remarked upon in these reports. The social aspect of the game is as vital as the game itself and the Wield Tea continues that tradition admirably.
Fleet arrived to bat and I have to say that the earlier optimism had been replaced by some nervousness, but Wield were up for it and knew they were defending a reasonable target. Now down to six as Maddy had departed for a previous commitment, we were going to bowl three overs a piece for four of the players. Fleet generously contributed fielders and we were underway. Thomas and Gilbert opened the bowling and after four overs Gilbert had knocked over two wickets while Fleet progressed to 208. Oli joined Gilbert and engineered a superb diving catch by Wilf at mid-on and the score steadily rose to 222-3 at the half-way mark. Harry arrived, bowled two overs including a maiden and Jacob and Wilf bowled their first each of three. As the final Fleet pair arrived the score was nicely poised on 228-5 – Jacob took a quick run-out and Wilf beat one for pace clean bowling him. Six off the first over, eleven off the second but Wilf took another wicket and the score crept closer balancing on 245-6 with two overs left. Seven off the next over and Fleet were tasting victory as they reached 252. Wilf to bowl the final over and you could cut the tension with a knife! A single, a no-ball and he bowled him! The batsmen switched ends...a dot ball, another bowled and the batsmen switched ends again. Two balls to go and four needed for the win. Another dot ball and the last ball was a 2; a quick consultation on the score between the umpires and the result was telegraphed - Wield had done it! A great result and fine cap to the season for Wield, well done to all involved and thank you to a gracious opposition after what turned into such a tight game!
Rupert Cazalet