Match 1 – Monday 24 April – Home v Hurstpierpoint II
The U12’s opened the season in fine fashion with a victory over Hustpierpoint II on a cold and gloomy Monday evening at St Johns Park.
The visitors won the toss and put Burgess Hill into bat. Kyle Jones opened for the home team with Alfie Lees at the other end and the boys made a positive start. Alfie batted confidently scoring 8 runs before being dismissed by a fine delivery in the 6th over.
Kyle was joined by Freddie Cobham in the middle and continued to add runs at a steady rate reaching the boundary on 3 occasions. Freddie quickly got up to speed with 2 fours from the first 6 balls faced and the home team reached 65 at the 12 over mark. Freddie retired in the 15th over with a final score of 26 including 5 fours.
Kyle was joined in the final over by Billy Reid who hit the ground running with 8 from 4 balls including two successive boundaries. Kyle finished on a very solid 20 runs which included 3 fours.
The home team completed their innings on 94-1.
The visitors took to the crease after the drinks break and found themselves a wicket down from the first over thanks to a great delivery by Alfie Lees. Tight bowling and energetic fielding by the home team helped keep the total down and the visitors were on 53 runs at the 12 over mark. Hurstpierpoint still had a chance but Tommy Barnes helped seal victory for the home team in the 15th over with a fine bowled wicket. The visitors closed on 70-2 confirming a victory for Burgess Hill by 24 runs.
Match 2 – Monday 8 May – Away v Bton & Hove
The U12’s travelled to Hove in the first round of the cup knowing that victory would be tough against a team in the division above. The home team won the toss and decided to bat first. Burgess Hill got off to a great start with a wicket for Alfie Lees after the third ball, caught by Owen Larder on debut for Burgess Hill. The visitors kept it tight in the field and took another wicket in the the 6th over, bowled by Ollie Bennett and caught by Freddie Cobham. A 3rd wicket fell in the 11th over bowled Owen caught Ryan Goss and the home side finished on 113-3.
The visitors took to the crease knowing that they had a tough task to chase down that total and the quality of the home team’s bowling was soon apparent. Alfie batted well adding 6 to the total before being dismissed LBW in the 6th over. The wickets of Freddie Cobham and Kyle Jones were claimed in the 7th over. Owen Larder added 7 runs before being stumped. Aidan Baker added 2 to the total and Ryan Goss scored 4 with a fine boundary before being stumped. Further wickets fell and the visitors closed on 66 all out.
Match 3 – report to follow with the boys securing a great victory against Lewes Priory last Monday