Ealing u15 v South Hampstead

The first game of the season saw the u15s comfortably beat South Hampstead in the first round of the cup. The boys barely out of rugby boots were put into bat first in a reduced over encounter and right from the start scored at a steady 10 runs plus an over. The u15s, featuring the pick of the colts from the u14 and u15 year groups, lost just a solitary wicket to the opposition, the remainder retiring once reaching 30 runs. However, with the score on 148 for 1, the game could have hinged on a contentious umpiring decision by the newly qualified, home umpire MC. Sense prevailed and Ealing eased to 176/1

South Hampstead fielding a side with several under aged players put up dogged resistance to bat out their 15 overs. Wickets fell initially to an Ealing bowling attack who had not contributed to the batting performance, ensuring that this victory was indeed a team performance. Special mention should go to Stephen-Lett who had to make an instant decision to either catch a ball at short point or lose his head, drawing gasps from the assembled Ealing faithful, and Pyne, on A team debut, taking an amazing 4 wickets for three runs. South Hampstead clung on for some pride, and Ealing weren't quite able to allow the parents an early return to the warmth of the bar.

Second round should prove more challenging against either Perivale or Shepherds Bush