VECC Under 14's go down to Newcastle City

GAME SEVEN
VS NEWCASTLE CITY

While the game demonstrated some fine individual performances, the Grizzlies went down by twenty runs after allowing the Newcastle City team to score around thirty runs too many. The Grizzlies bowlers were off target, with too many wides / no-balls (25) and short balls, enabling the City team to score freely.

Newcastle City batted first, Ben Jenkins bowling an excellent line and length to restrict the run rate, his four overs costing only 4 runs. At the other end Matthew Mascord relished his elevation to the new ball duties, swinging the ball nicely and capturing a well deserved wicket with the last ball of his four over spell at the cost of only 6 runs. Rhys Cooper bowled an excellent spell of five overs, his tight line and length restricting the scoring. Josh Parsons also bowled superbly at a time when the opposition were hitting out at in an attempt to increase the scoring rate. Josh’s 5 overs cost only 13 runs, and he also picked up two wickets with well pitched up deliveries which swung into the batsmen. The other bowlers did not bowl well – they pitched far too short, and too many wides and no-balls enabled City to reach 114.

The fielding was generally good, with Eli Love in particular putting his body (in this case his shins) on the line. The encouragement given by the team to their team mates was also good, and at no stage did the team lose heart and give up.

In reply the Grizzlies again began disastrously, four wickets falling for only 8 runs before Rhys Cooper and Ben Jenkins put on a 29 run stand to drag their team back into the match. Rhys was the main run scorer, but Ben held up his end well, his 8 runs being invaluable in this situation. Josh Parsons appreciated his batting elevation by defending when necessary and hitting fiercely when given the opportunity, his 20 runs well deserved. The Grizzlies were still in the game when Rhys (32) fell to an excellent catch in the deep, but with his departure their hopes fell, and this proved to be the case despite Tim Rodgers’ unbeaten 13, the Grizzlies finishing their innings at 9 down for 93.

Match Points
3 Rhys Cooper
2 Josh Parsons
1 Ben Jenkins