Odiham U9's vs Wield U9's, Sat 28th May

Odiham, 202-12 were beaten by Wield, 293-2

A double header weekend: Wield were playing away to Odiham on Saturday and on Sunday our first home game was up against Cove, the one team to beat us last year. Also half term meant new blood for the team as a number of players were taking a break...time to test the depth of the squad this year.

Odiham: we arrived with a chill in the air but dry and reasonably fair weather. Olly took on captain duties, won the toss and we went in to bat. Summer and Maddy opened and quickly imposed a good start – Summer hit a 4 and with tight running between the wickets only one wicket was lost – 218-1 after the first pair. Olly and Charlie, the second of our season’s new bloods ran in and again, after a 4 from Olly and no wickets lost at half time we were sitting pretty on 234-1. Josh and Maxim, stalwarts of the team now, imposed themselves on the bowling and three 4s from Josh helped move the score up to 262-1. Alex and Harry came in as the final pair, the first time for both of them this season and the rampage continued. Alex hit a flat six from his first ball and followed it with three 4s. Harry too got into the act and after a 4 and some tight singles was beaten and bowled – but no matter, Wield finished its batting on a strong 293-2.

Tea appeared and the officials had to pay for their cups of tea or coffee. Biscuits and squash for the children: the heady heights of Medstead’s hospitality have yet to be scaled, but we live in hope.

Our pairs were ready for the bowling attack and the game was on. Summer bowled the first over, softening them up and then Marauding Maddy the Marmeliser immediately got into action and took wickets. Summer then bowled a wicket maiden before Maddy bowled again and took a further two, including one caught and bowled – four in her session. Odiham were reeling on 186-5 after the first four overs. Charlie and Olly let them rest briefly before Olly bowled three in his first over and at half way the opposition had stuttered to 187-8. Josh and Maxim eased up a little on the next pair but Maxim took his first wicket of the season and with the last pairs expected Odiham were on 203-9. Alex and Harry arrived and Alex’s sheer pace bowled out three more as the game ended with Odiham on 202-12.

This was a superb demonstration of fine cricket by a young Wield side - the batting was calm and measured, the fielding was tight and bowling utterly destructive. This set us up well for the weekend and our almost definitely strong opposition tomorrow. Maddy’s bowling was outstanding and Alex and Olly followed through clinically. Great to see Maxim and Summer taking their first wickets and Josh’s free hitting of the ball. And a great start for Charlie and Harry too, we look forward to seeing more of both of them.

Rupert Cazalet