Saturday, October 11, 2008

VECC Under 14's go down to Stockton in a season opener cliff hanger

Written by Neil Best Coach VECC Under 14's

UNDER 14 DIVISION TWO
GAME ONE 11/10/08
VS STOCKTON

Placing his faith in his strong bowling line up, captain Liam Guest asked Stockton to bat first, and the performance of his two opening bowlers justified this decision. Both were very difficult to get away, Ben Jenkins in particular bowling an excellent line. Ben bowled with sustained pace over his four overs, bending the ball away nicely and picking up one wicket with a delivery which came back the other way. Ben’s four overs cost only two runs. At the other end, Josh Parsons also proved difficult to dispatch, one four coming from a full toss, but only conceding three more runs in his three overs. He also picked up a wicket with a full pitched delivery.

These two were replaced by Matthew Mascord, who bowled tightly, gaining two wickets with well pitched up deliveries, one an excellent caught and bowled. Mackenzie Morrison bowled two more batsmen, and both Tim Rodgers and Nathan Birt gained wickets. Liam Guest had the difficult task of keeping Stockton’s best bat under control at the end of the innings, and his first three overs cost only two runs.

Stockton finished eight down for 109. It was an excellent effort by the bowlers, but one which they could still improve, as Stockton’s runs came almost exclusively from short deliveries. The ground fielding was excellent, with Mackenzie Morrison and Matthew Mascord leading the way. Mitchell Brown’s efforts behind the stumps deserve a special mention. There were only two byes, despite a number of wides and no-balls, Mitchell’s athleticism and soft glovework covering up these mistakes by the bowlers.

In reply, Valentine Eleebana started poorly, Mark Rumford got a good delivery, and Matthew Mascord was unfortunately run out. Nathan Birt (7) and Liam Guest (11) steadied the innings, and Nathan’s four over mid-wicket signalled a counter attack. Liam looked very sound, two pull shots through backward square racing to the boundary. Unfortunately he played around a full delivery and was trapped lbw. The score left at 4 for 34. Mackenzie Morrison (16) played very well, defending resolutely with a straight back and hitting powerfully when the opportunity was offered. He was given great support by Eli Love, who although not scoring himself, held up an end while 24 valuable runs were scored. When Eli went, immediately after Mitchell Brown, the score was 7 for 58, and with only 10 players, 109 looked a long way off.

This didn’t worry Tim Rodgers and Ben Jenkins, who both showed calm temperaments, picking up singles easily and hitting the ball hard when necessary. Tim showed a range of strokes, while Ben punished anything short by pulling powerfully through the leg side. Tim eventually fell lbw for a well complied 20 with the score at 87, which brought last batmen Josh Parsons to the crease – 23 runs to get in 5 overs! And the score mounted steadily, both batsmen continuing to pick the right ball to hit.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be, Josh (9) falling to a spectacular caught and bowled in the second last over with only 4 runs left for the victory, Ben left undefeated with a team top score of 22.

A great game!

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