This week saw the much anticipated home derby between two sets of friends off the pitch, Ealing U10A and the Phoenix.

Last year these teams were 100 runs apart so the Phoenix were keen to see if they could close the gap, buoyed by their superb two run win over the South Hampstead U10A team last week. Ealing U10A were rapid though, a team made up entirely of pace and powerful hitting was always going to be a formidable challenge.

Their class showed through from the start, with Arya bowling the Phoenix opener first ball which set the tone for a high wicket match. Not helped by an awful and at times dangerous playing surface, Phoenix struggled to score and any time they threatened to put together a partnership, were pegged back by fast accurate bowling which the Phoenix were not used to. They finished on 48 which was never going to be enough.

In the second innings, the U10As settled quickly, Tom hitting a glorious six early on and quickly supposed the modest target. Devon came in and played beautifully if a player of the game performance for his team with some lovely boundaries to make the result comfortable and the 100 run victory looking likely.

However, the game wasn't done. As Phoenix struggled with the pace they weren't used to, U10A struggled to get on top of the Phoenix spinners and in the darkening condition, Anay took a 5-fer from one end while the low pace rewarded Ayaan with his best ever figures against strong batters.

In the end the 42 run victory for the U10As satisfied both teams, the winners getting a comfortable and well deserved victory but the Phoenix taking great satisfaction in having halved the gap between the teams and with plenty to learn from.