It was mixed fortunes for the Under 15s over the weekend. Friday evening saw a young Under 15 team visit Sarisbury. We lost the toss and were put in the field and the Sarisbury team made their intentions clear from the off with some aggressive batting. Playing on an artificial wicket, a quick outfield and a short boundary it was clear that it was going to be a high scoring game. The hosts piled on the runs finishing on 141 for 2, with the only highlights being a run out by Tom Sherry and an excellent caught and bowled by Guy Mullins. The boys suffered in the heat and humidity in the early evening sun and performances dropped off towards the end.
The Hambledon innings started disastrously with both openers going cheaply. However, it brought Sam Phillips (31) and Jamie Houlberg (38*) to the crease who put together a 92 run partnership for the 3rd wicket. At the 15th over the young Dons were on 96 and a head of the run rate. However, Jamie retired and Sam was caught and the required momentum was lost and the team finished on 119 for 9. A game of ‘If only..’
Sunday morning saw the Under 15s entertain Steep at the Ridge. The sun and heat had well and truly disappeared. Tom lost the toss again and the young Dons were put into bat. Again, another disastrous start with the run out of Harry Thistle, but the innings recovered with all the boys making good contributions. The highlights being the innings of Jamie 30, Henry G 21 and Tom Sherry with 20. The Dons finishing on 142 for 7, with extras making a healthy contribution.
Any thoughts that the visitors were going to lie down and accept defeat were put to rest in the first over. The Steep top order set about the Dons bowling and at 10 overs the scores were level in score book at 68 for 2. However, the skipper kept his nerve and bowlers produced a great team effort. The pick of the bowlers being Guy with 3 for 23 and Archie Bennett with 3 for 5 in 1 over. However, the win wouldn’t have happened with some great fielding performances, Harry T taking 3 catches and Sam Phillips with 2, one of which was over the shoulder. Steep finishing on 99 all out. A very good team performance by the young Dons.
The morning was completed with the match tea of the season, which had to be seen to be believed.