After winning the toss, Elstead elected to field first on a very dry ground at the Bourne. Rufus and Caol got Elstead off to a good start, conceding only 10 runs before Caol struck in the 4th over, resulting in a maiden wicket over. This, however, brought a big hitting batter to the crease, who start strong and retired with a strike rate over a 100 and really tested Will (0/25 off 3 overs), Archie (0/20 off 2 overs) and Alfred (0/18 off 2 overs). Finally, in the 12th over, Nathan picked up Elstead’s 2nd wicket with a pop up to Will at silly mid-off. Rufus (1/18 off 4 overs) returned in the 13th over and finally got a wicket for himself, clean bowling their number 5. The team then decided to toss the ball to Tyler, who kindly stepped in for his second match of the day having played for the U11s in the morning. The team were apprehensive at this decision, until Tyler’s first ball, a dot. “Great ball” was exclaimed, the second conceded a run, while the 3rd was miscued towards mid-off to a position where a diving Nathan, moving from mid-on, was able to take the catch. At the start of Tyler’s (2/7 off 2 overs) second over, a quiet word of pitch it on his toes, led to a perfect delivery on the first ball to clean bowl the remaining opener. A more settled George (compared to the previous outing) delivered a tight over finishing with (0/2 off 1). More wickets were still to come in the 19 over with Nathan (3/23 off 3 overs) striking on his second, followed up next ball with another assisted by Lennon with the catch. The Bourne ended on 138/7 after the 20 overs, a challenging target.

With only 10 players this week, including Tyler from the lower age group of U11 and Alfie, Elstead proceeded to chase the target, hoping to avenge their cup loss against the same opposition. Both Nathan (10) and Will (10) got things off to a good start, scoring at a run a ball, until Nathan played inside to a good delivery on the last ball of the third over. Unfortunately, Will followed 2 balls later. Rufus and Caol (4) tried to build a partnership, however the Bourne had other ideas as Caol departed an over later. Rufus (20) knew that, as one of the most experienced players, he needed to guide those less experienced through the innings. Alfred (2) departed quickly then Archie (14) joined Rufus in the fight to score runs. A good partnership of 32 was unfortunately brought to an end as Archie was caught and was then followed by Rufus, two balls later. At 74/5, and with only 6.3 overs remaining, the target was a life time away and making 100 was looking a tough target. After George was unfortunately run out, Lennon (1) tried to steady the fall of wickets. Alfie (7 not out) supported him in the best innings I have seen Alfie play. After Lennon departed, Tyler, our last man of the day, strode to the pitch to show the older lads how it was done. Tyler hit 2 fours on the way to his 11 (not out) off 12 balls, taking Elstead to 104/8 after the 20 overs.

Given that Elstead had one less in the field and the top order were dismissed relatively cheaply, the team did a tremendous job in making 104 and restricting the Bourne to only 138. The commitment in the field was of a high standard, and they kept fighting. Thanks to Dave for scoring and James for organising the team on the side, keeping the spirits high.