Catlin’s Juniors Report: Week 2

Preston under13 vrs KPCC

KPCC 113/1 PCC 86/7

On bank holiday Monday and a overcast day at WGC, Olly won the task and elected to field.  Some steady opening bowling from Adam & Tom got some bounce out of the pitch but not enough to get a breakthrough, Olly chopped and changed the bowling to try and get a wicket.  A couple of half chances came and went but the boys were unable to take many wickets as the innings finished on 113/1 thanks to a catch from Olly off Shaan, Josh being the best bowler of the day.

In reply the boys made a similar start to Thursday, with Guy, Olly, Fraser, Push and Billy failing to trouble the scoreres.  Adam held the innings together scoring a unbeaten 31 and some sensible batting at the end from Josh and Shaan added 25 to leave us on 86/7

Preston under 10 vrs Harpenden

Walk over to Preston as Harpenden cried off on Wednesday due to  unfit pitch and would not swap the fixture.

Preston Under 9 vrs WGC

WGC 278/3   PCC 262/6

Returning to the same venue as the previous day, the boys were confident after their hardball game the previous week.  Winning the toss and bowling first the oppo got to 227/1 thanks to a wicket from Freddie.  The next 4 overs saw some tight bowling as the oppo only added 3 runs for a run out.  The third pair added 23 thanks to some wayward bowling and the last pair scored 25 with another run out to finish on 278.

Preston reply started with Sam getting bowled but some good shots from Jacob (13), before he was bowled off the last ball if the 4 overs, saw us on 214/2.  Xander and Toby struggled to get the ball away and scored 10 with one dismissal.   The third pair of Harry and Freddie needed to up the run rate, but an early run out saw us facing a major task.  Some sensible batting and a good 4 from Harry saw us on 248/4 with the last pair of Nid and Elliott to come.

A tense finish did not come off as Nid was bowled twice and although Elliott hit some big shots to score 11, we just fell short on 262/6

Preston under 12   121/8  v Reed 67/2

Preston travelled to the lovely ground of Reed on a glorious evening. Up against a young but talented opposition Olly won the toss and elected to bat.  A rapid start was made as Jack and Luke put on 24 in 2 overs before Jack (4) was  run out.  Luke continued to drive the ball really well and with Olly playing the spinners off the back foot we got to 58 in 6 overs before Luke was caught for 28.   Olly retired for 31 with the score on 77 at the half way stage. The scoring rate then slowed as we struggled against the turning ball. Although Pushan  5, Tom 6, Jude 8 Alex 5 played some good shots we played out a couple of maidens and finished on 121/8.

Reed’s reply did not get off to the best off starts for them as Tom dismissed the opener first ball, sending the middle stump out of the ground.  The top order then batted sensibly to use up all the overs as Reed closed on 67/2, Joe Clarke taking a caught and bowled.   There were some tight bowling figures from Ben 4 1 7 0 Alex, Fraser and Jack 3 overs for 12.   Special mention to Alex who bowled his overs in under 90 seconds just like the coach.

Ash