Fantastic Batting Brings Last-Ball Win For U9s

GREAT MELTON U9s beat BROOKE U9s by 1 run at Melton Park in the South Norfolk Community League.

With a most spectacular display of powerful batting, Gt Melton under 9s beat Brooke by 1 run, scored off the final ball of the match. Asked to field by the visitors, Gt Melton at times looked tired and lacking in concentration. The Brooke team grew in confidence, scoring freely and reached 217 for 3 with wickets being taken by James and George Alcock and Blade Earley. Jake Canning and Freddie Pattison again bowled straight and were vital in restricting the free hitting Brooke batters. Ansh Thakur and Callum Marcham made some important stops, with Nicholas Conway behind the stumps again getting his gloves or some part of his body to the ball.

At the end of the innings the sense that the score was out of reach was apparent among the team; but this was not a day when the under 9s gave up and a few kitkats later went out to bat with renewed commitment. Facing fast and accurate bowling by Brooke, Nicholas and Jake again showed determination and concentration in their batting. No wickets were lost by the opening pair, an achievement which was to prove to be crucial to the match result. Ansh and Callum were bowled twice, but in the face of quality bowling this in itself showed good application to their batting. With 8 overs to go, Brooke were in a very strong position. Victory for the vistors seemed to be inevitable and they were cheered on by their enthusiastic spectators. Freddie and George came into bat and here the momentum of the match changed. The Brooke bowling continued to be of a high quality but George exploded into action. Hitting six 4s in a sensational innings of 27, this was a superb performance by George. Blade and James then took over for the final 4 overs needing to score 11 per over. Both batters continued on the attack. To their credit, the Brooke bowlers continued to bowl well, as Blade and James scored freely. Blade hit a memorable 6 in his innings of 30 not out, believed to be the first ever scored by a Gt Melton under 9. James also found the boundary with ease, making 14 not out. The excitement and pressure rose as the final over arrived with Gt Melton needing 12 runs to win. This was cricket at its best, with both sides capable of winning and each playing well. The win came with the final ball and Gt Melton finished on 118 for 3. This was a stunning performance, but most of all a lesson to never give up and how everyone in a team contributes to success.

Guy McCurley