The U13s started off their 2018 season with an away match in Grayshott yesterday evening. With perfect weather, a lovely setting and welcoming opposition, we were all looking forward to getting the season underway.
Grayshott won the toss and elected to bat. Elstead were generous in the field, dropping a number of catches, but some accurate bowling kept the Grayshott total down to 92 runs for 5 wickets from their 20 overs. The most entertaining over came from Henry B, who lured the batsmen in with two wides, then took two wickets from excellent balls and narrowly missed the stumps with another beauty on his hat-trick ball. Joe S.A. bowled the ball of the century with a leg spinner that pitched outside leg and missed off stump by millimetres. The opposition coach declared it to be the best spell of leg spin bowling he'd ever seem by an under 18! The best bowling figures came from Sam B with 2 overs, 1 wicket for only 1 run.
After topping up their sugar levels, Elstead came out to bat, punishing some short pitched bowling, with a succession of boundaries. Joe L and Ollie L both retiring on 30 runs. Joe L on 29 declared that he would hit the next ball for 6 and go out in style, only to sky one straight to a fielder, who obviously felt sorry for him and dropped it!
It was left for Sam B and Harry W (on his debut) to finish it off, reaching the target in only the 13th over for the loss of no wickets.
Well done everyone.