U13 League Match Report, Grayshott vs Elstead, Sunday 15th July 2012

Following days of rain, Elstead took to the field against an unbeaten Grayshott team on their artificial strip. Bizzarely, a short boundary in places of just 30 yards awaited the teams despite there being room for the full 40 yards. Captain Max opened the Elstead bowling with instant success in the first over, clean bowling opener Charlie for a duck. The Grayshott new pairing of Harrison and Jack set about rebuilding the innings, rapidly taking the score to 35 off 5 overs, both eventually retiring on 25 and 27 respectively. In a mirror image of the first 3 wickets, the Grayshott no. 4 Aaron was bowled by Alex for 1, Alex giving the batsmen all sorts of problems trying to read his devlish spin. Then followed the pairing of Tom and Archie both knocking 25 each, retiring with the score on 85 for 2 after just 10 overs. Jack had an opportunity to dismiss Alex but failed to hold onto a ballooning catch which dropped out of the sky like a stone and spilled from his cupped hands. A further retirement of Alex on 27 took the score to a humungous 144 by the end of the 16th over. Grayshott’s 5 retirees had knocked 19 boundaries including four 6’s which left the Elstead field shell shocked. Carlo caught George off Harry’s bowling for 7 runs, followed by Alfie bowling James for 4 runs as Grayshott's juggernaut innings came to a halt on 171 for 4 off 20 overs. Elstead only bowled 7 loose balls, but were undone by some top class batting technique, with Max posting best figures of 12 runs for 1 wicket off 3 overs.

Elstead’s openers of Max and Harry patiently set about building a decent foundation, putting 26 on the board after 5 overs, 9 adrift of Grayshott’s equivalent score at this stage. Scampering for a run, following an overthrow which ran to the boundary to give Harry 5 runs, Max turned sharply and pulled a back muscle, leading to his temporary retirement. Charlie O came on to replace him only to sky the ball to be caught out for a golden duck. Carlo came on to partner Harry, the score ticking along until with the score on 46 in the 11th over, first Carlo was run out, followed by his replacement Joss being run out also next ball. Max rejoined Harry to restart the innings, Harry led a charmed life at times, first dropped by a fielder, then caught sharply, but the ball having hit the ground first, then seeing his bails sent flying off the same ball as he scampered back into his crease just in time. Harry retired on 25 following a patient knock off 28 balls which included two 4’s and a 5. Thomas replaced Harry, and looked promising, hitting a 4 first ball, before once again being run out 4 balls later. Sam then joined his brother Max at the crease; the score crept to 75 off 15 overs. Max was eventually dismissed for 21, caught whilst trying to accelerate the score. Alex joined Sam and was clean bowled by George after only having faced 5 balls. Archie partnered with only 2 balls remaining, scoring a run as Sam was run out last ball of the match, on 6, having patiently batted facing 26 balls. Unfortunately, the second brothers pairing of Ben and Jack did not get an opportunity to bat. Our innings ground to a halt on 88 for 7, in itself a respectable score, but still only half of the required total! Grayshott just conceded 1 extra less than us, but it was in the batting department that Elstead had fallen well short.

Grayshott 171 for 4 off 20 overs
Elstead 88 for 7 off 20 overs
Grayshott win