Catlin’s Juniors Report – a damp week!

What was supposed to be a full week of fixtures turned into just 3 games, of which 2 were played in pouring rain – where is the summer?  We only have a week and a half left of the main season  and we have not had a sunny evening!

Preston under 9 vrs WGC

First up this week saw the under 9s take on WGC at home, bowling first we put up a good bowling and fielding display.  After a good start by WGC a caught and bowled by Freddie saw WGC in a  strong position at 258/1 at the half way stage.  A couple of run outs saw the score 269/3 after 12 overs and then a stumping by Xander off Harry enabled the score to finish on 284/5.

Preston’s reply never got going as we had too many dot balls despite a Sunday training session.  Sam and Awad scored 10/1 with mostly extras.  Debutant Sam and Harry were up next and it was entertaining as we had wickets, boundaries, and good running, but the score was 213/4 at the half way stage, Harry scoring 13 but out twice.  Nid 3 and Freddie 7 ran really well to score 10 singles plus five other scoring deliveries but were out three times to leave us on 213/8.  The final pair Xander 0 and Toby 4 (an excellent boundary),  scored 15 with no dismissals but with no running between the wickets. The final score being 229/8.

Preston under 12 vrs Knebworth

The boys travelled to neighbours  KPCC on an overcast and damp night. The first 10 overs were played in some horrible conditions as our lads took advantage to hit the ball to various parts of the ground, Luke continuing his fine form with 20, Jack made 6 and Adam looked in great nick hitting 30 in no time including 2 sixes and 4 fours.   Olly was rather cautious and scored 16 as we were 88 off 12 overs, some good bowling and a couple of dismissals  saw Alex and Ben run well at the end to take us to 113/10 off 19.5 overs

The Knebworth lads sniffed a chance, but some excellent tight opening bowling by Push 3-0-10-1 and Tom 3-1-5-0 saw them on 9/2 after 6 overs.   In these six overs we saw a great run out from Olly J from cover hitting one stump and a belter  of a  one handed reflex catch from Jude .  Adam then had Kobi caught down the legside by the impressive Jude. Some boundaries from Spencer saw the total get to 39 but when Alex took a towering catch at deep square led to get rid of the opener the run chase was going to be hard.  Alex then took a return catch off his own bowling and Ben did the same as well as Luke taking a catch off his bowling.  A run out soon followed from Joe and Frazer bowled the final 3 overs to take 1/13 including a sharp catch by Jack at gully.  Alex figures 3-0-13-2, Ben 3-0-9-2.  A good all round performance, bring on the 9 games in 6 days next week!