Colts Results 2006 Date TW Score Opposition Score Venue Result Team 01/06/06 89-8 Cowdrey 55 all out Cowdrey TW won by 34 runs TW Under 11 Border League TW chose to bat first, but did not look comfortable at any stage during their innings. Wickets fell regularly, some to bad balls, and we put ourselves under some pressure. Only Harry Fitzgerald of the first five batsmen managed a respectable score (14), but we were let off the hook by our opponents on two counts. First, they fielded too deep and did not walk in with the bowler. This allowed Albert Ray and David Green to put on a good partnership based simply upon good running of quick singles. When both batsmen are looking for these runs it is amazing how quickly they will come. Duncan Wallace then hit an aggressive 11 to help our total up to 89-8 off twenty overs. The second count was that Cowdrey bowled too many wides, 23 in total, and extras were the top scorer for TW, giving our total a respectability that we had not earned ourselves. However, the boys were very attentive at the interval. They knew that the outfield was large, and the grass was lush - boundaries were hard to get. If we bowled straight and conceded fewer extras, we would be in with a chance. Tight opening spells from Michael Dowding and Albert Ray saw Cowdrey on 9-2 after six overs. They were already behind the required rate of 4.5 per over, and the pressure was on. Although there were one or two fielding errors, encouragement of team-mates was exemplary. Nobody was made to feel bad after making a mistake. This came from the boys themselves, not from the coaches or parents - a really positive sign and a credit to the whole team. Paul Young and Liam Porritt were unlucky to have dismissals ruled out by no-balls, but we did bowl straight - five wickets were clean-bowled, (David Green's off spin getting three of these) and one LBW. Michael Dowding took two fine catches, and with two run outs (great throw Charles Crickmore!) we dismissed Cowdrey for 55, with only one of their batsmen reaching double figures, albeit a determined 22. Lessons to learn: 1) There is no need to try to hit every ball hard. Look for easy singles as part of an innings. 2) Really commit to those difficult catches - the ball does not always reach fielders at a convenient height! 3) Bowling straight gives you a really good chance of winning! Conclusion: Team spirit was first class, as was our concentration on the game. Our batsmen warmed up by practising with cricket balls before they went in.