In what was supposed to be the last match of the season, against top of the table Chiddingfold, Elstead’s U13s were struggling to get 11 out on the pitch due to holidays and school trips with availability depleted to just 10, potentially only 9. Up stepped Freddy from the U11’s, who did not have a match today, and Joseph was on standby until the last minute but was able to go back to bed. It is great to have players willing to step up and be on standby within the club.
A wet field baking in glorious sunshine was leading Elstead to field if they won the toss. However, it went the other way and Chiddingfold put Elstead into bat. Danny (17) and Rufus (1) opened the batting against a tidy county player, who Danny treated with due respect, timing a lovely glance off the pads to backward of square for 4 on the first ball. Danny continued his march in the second over making good use of the short boundary on the leg side. At the start of the 4th over, Chiddingfold struck with a good ball that Rufus could only pop up to the bowler to complete the catch. This was to be a good over for Chiddingfold as Danny was then trapped LBW and, a ball later, Lennon was run out. With two new batters at the crease, in Caol and George R, some recovery work was required. Both batters were up the task, taking the next two overs to get their eye in before the opportunity arose at the start of the 7th over. George on strike, a 4 as a warm up to what was to come. Second ball, a 6 so big that the high netting across the road protecting the one house was not high enough to stop it! Two overs later, George’s guard was broken and he was bowled for 12. Archie took just one ball before smashing a beautiful cover drive straight down the ground for 4. Caol was determined not to be out done by George’s six, as he smashed one of his own to the same location. (Mental note: beware of buying that house). It seemed to be a day for caught and bowled as Archie (4) also chipped one to the bowler in the 11th, which proved to be another good over for Chiddingfold as Caol (11) was caught on the final ball of the over. Once again, two new batters at the crease in Ellie and Ben, although Ben’s stay was short lived as he had to depart off some great fielding without facing a ball. Ellie (1) found mid-on at a stretch to take a good catch, bringing young Freddy to the crease. Along with George RH, some more consolidation was required. As the bowler pounded in, the crowd were on the edge of their seat as Chiddingfold were clearly on top, but a calm Freddy played a great leg shot for 2 on his first delivery, to a roar from his teammates. George RH (2) did well to steady the ship with Freddy but one of their top bowlers was back and found the gap. Two years ago, Henry P made his debut hard ball at Chiddingfold and now he was required to come out with 5 and a half overs remaining, to show the same defiance he showed on debut. With Freddy’s experience, Henry was pushed to run for many, while Freddy (8 not out) was doing his best to push for every run. However, the top bowlers were just too much for Henry at the start of the 17th as the lights (yes we had electronic wickets) signalled the end of the innings on 73.

Half time talk from the players, consisted of “this is a rubbish score” and “we’re done”, until they were reminded that the first game against Chiddingfold was a low scoring match. Refuelled on biscuits and juice, Rufus was tossed the ball to start the defence. Bang, the wickets lit up straight away from a perfect yorker. The first boundary came in the 3rd over before Caol (1/9 in 3 overs) picked up the second wicket in the 4th. Archie (2/7 in 2.5 overs), trapped the danger county player LBW with his second ball, much to the surprise of the batter. Elstead started to believe that they could do this and, as Danny came on to bowl, his third delivery found the batter going for a big hit, which he miscued and it went soaring into the sky high above square leg. Following sharp shouts of catch, silence descended as everyone drew breath and cool-headed Freddy positioned himself and waited an eternity for the ball to fall into his soft hands to complete a text book catch! Danny’s 2nd over brought more excitement as, first, he trapped the batter LBW, followed by a clean bowled but the hattrick was not to be. At the end of the 8th, Elstead were in a strong position with the score on 29/6. Ben (0/9 off his two) put in his best figures this season, keeping it tight and not conceding any extras, while Ellie (0/6 off two overs) also made life difficult for Chiddingfold, which added to the pressure. However, Chiddingfold’s other county player absorbed much of the pressure and slowly built his innings. Freddy (0/9 in his over) took some time to adjust to the longer pitch as Chiddingfold grew in confidence and it was not until the 14th over, with the score on 56/6, that Elstead struck again through Rufus, who finished with 2/14 in 3 overs, with a big wicket. The eighth wicket fell with the last ball of the 16th for Danny to finish with 4/8 off 3 overs. 4 overs left to bowl, 7 runs needed and 2 wickets to take, the players shouted at the scorers to update the electronic scoreboard. It was tense with Archie to bowl, dot, 1 run, 1 run, wicket! 5 needed, a new batter, ball to the keeper who fumbles, they run and Lennon, at keeper, collects, throws and OUT! What a finish to a tight match, played with great spirit. Well done all!!