Ealing U8s vs Stanmore

At an overcast Popesfield after losing the toss Ealing took to the field hoping their swinging seamers could take advantage of the conditions.

A steady start had Stanmore at 233 off 4 overs, Ealing were bowling with precision but wickets were hard to come by. Both teams continued their attritional approach and after 9 overs in a cagey contest it was 258 without loss.

283 were on the board at the start of the 14th over and it was still a match very much for the purist at this point. Aidan and Ridhmeet combined to make the breakthrough with the score now 299 for 1. A late flurry from Stanmore saw them head into the last over in good shape finishing on 334 for 1.

Ealing would need to be on their mettle to chase this target down.

Yash and Ridhmeet walked out to open as the wind grew stronger and the sky darkened. Both boys made a steady start and after 3 overs Ealing were 212. Aidan and Theo took over but the theme was unchanged with Stanmore keeping us in check. In the 7th over Theo hit a super boundary which was just shy of being a 6.

A few wickets pegged Ealing back just as they looked like getting on top of things they kept losing the odd wicket. Heading to the half way mark Ealing were 236 for 5. 231 for 7 at the start of the 13th over Ronit and Freddie M came together and started to push on 251 for 7 after 15.

However in the end Stanmore’s wicket taking proved to be the decisive factor with Ealing finishing on 248 for 10.

Well done to the all the boys for sticking to it through persistent drizzle and cooler conditions than of late.

Dom Morrey