867 FOCUS

22 South Woodham Focus
SWF CC U15s vs BROOMFIELD CRICKET MATCH
BROOMFIELD 74 ALL OUT, SWF 75 - 5
The U15s returned to action for the final game of the season,
away to Broomfield. Both teams fielding a number of players
who had also played against each other the previous day for
their respective adult teams. That game had been a defeat for
SWF, so revenge was on the agenda.
The Broomfield ground is a picturesque and compact arena but
still managed to accommodate a crowd that looked to be several
thousand strong with plenty unable to get in. Admission was
again free and parking at a premium.
Tom lost the toss (again), and Broomfield chose to bat in the late
summer sunshine. Dan and Ben took the new ball and kept the
Broomfield openers under control with some tight and accurate
pace bowling, supported by excellent fielding.
Ryan and Josh then came into the attack, and between them
bowled a devasting spell of 6 overs in which they took 7 wickets
for 21 runs (Ryan 4 for 16, Josh 3 for 5 !!), reducing Broomfield
to 42 for 7 from 12 overs.
Marcello, Adam, Luke and Nathan then bowled the remaining 8
overs between them, with Adam, Luke and Nathan taking a
wicket each. Marcello unlucky not to pick up a wicket despite
some good balls.
Alongside the superb bowling the fielding and catching from
SWF was exceptional, with Dan and Ross taking 2 catches each,
Nathan and Josh 1 each, and Tom 2 catches and 1 stumping.
Every chance was taken and very few runs were given away in
the field, well done everyone.
Broomfield were bowled out in the 20th over for 74, the first
time the U15s had bowled another team out in less than the full
20 overs.
With summer turning swiftly to winter during the break the
temperature dropped several degrees, and the wind and the rain
began howling through as SWF commenced their innings. Dan
and Ben opened the innings and started steadily against some
rapid bowling, with the ball increasingly skidding through low in
the wet conditions. Then both openers fell in quick succession,
caught out trying to lift the run rate.
With the total at 28-2 Tom and Ross were together at the crease.
Tom looked to accelerate the run-rate before he fell, and Ross
looking to take advantage of a short ball fell to a catch in the
outfield. William batted sensibly until he too was out, and SWF
were 42-5 from 12 overs, and looking in danger of losing a game
they should be winning.
But Ryan and Nathan were now at the crease and the game was
back under control, with Nathan in particularly scoring freely
with Ryan in support. A flurry of 4s from Nathan tied the scores
after 15 overs, and then the winning run took SWF to a first
victory of the season.
A fantastic team showing today, with everyone contributing, and
a great way to sign off the Colts season. Special thanks to Tom
and Amy for all their hard work, and to all those parents who
have helped out. Now the winter break / football season and
then we look forward to seeing the Colts again next year
building on this season’s performances.
SOUTH WOODHAM
FOCUS
email: swfocus@maypolepress.com