Ley Hill U12s v Grendon Underwood U12s, played at Ley Hill (League)

Friday 26th May 2006

Ian Partington

Ley Hill lost their first competitive match of the season against Grendon Underwood by 49 runs.

Grendon Underwood won the toss and elected to bat first. With one player scoring 52 runs, and their second highest player scoring 7, the match would no doubt have been much more competitive had Ley Hill been able to remove him from the crease.

Ley Hill had reduced the opposition from 25 for 0 to 26 for 3.  With Peter Garland (4-0-15-2) and Tom Jeffrey (2-0-8-1) making the breakthroughs. The inexperienced team fielded well with Peter Garland and Josh Wright taking both catches that were offered and Alex Humphrey bowling tightly at the end of the innings. Special mention is deserved by Toby Deane (aged 9) who came in at late notice to field brilliantly; chasing, and stopping everything that came his way.  This team is still to drop a catch or miss a run out this season despite playing all its matches in wet and difficult conditions. 

In reply, Ley Hill made a steady start but never looked like meeting the required run rate. A number of batsmen looked comfortable at the crease until they tried to increase the scoring rate. They finished at 50 for 5 off their 20 overs. Josh Wright top scoring with 18 not out. 

Our next match is against Dinton (away) where we will be looking to maintain our good fielding, tighten up on some of our bowling, and give a more confident and aggressive batting performance.  The ability is there, the players just need to gain more experience and confidence.

Peter Garland was named man of the match by Paul Green for his two wickets and one catch.