Burgess Hill U12’s kept up their 100% record with 6 straight wins in the league thanks to a fantastic bowling and fielding performance at Hurstpierpoint on a sunny Monday evening.
The home team won the toss and decided to field first. Burgess Hill’s opening pair of Kyle Jones and Alfie Lees took to the crease on an unpredictable grass wicket. The home team’s bowling was accurate and Burgess Hill found runs hard to come by.
The first wicket was taken in the 4th over with Kyle Jones run out for 1 thanks to some sharp fielding. Freddie Cobham joined Alfie in the middle but only lasted 3 balls thanks to a direct throw at the stumps running him out for 1.
Owen Larder came to the middle with the score at 14-2 and the visitors in trouble. Owen and Alfie started to steadily build a partnership and by the time Alfie was caught out for 7 in the 11th over Burgess Hill had reached 45.
Owen was joined by Ryan Goss in the middle before retiring on 26 with a fine innings including 4 well struck boundaries. Ryan added 12 including 1 four and Max Cassar scored 9 including 2 boundaries before both being run out.
Thankfully for the visitors Hurstpierpoint’s bowling did not match the standard of the first 10 overs and extras started to mount as the run rate rose. Aidan Baker was bowled LBW before Billy Reid on 3 not out and Adam Parvin 1 not out closed out the innings for Burgess Hill with a score of 106-6.
The focus during the team talk at the half way stage was about making sure Burgess Hill cut down on the extras and focused on marking the batsmen work for their runs. The visitors got off to a great start with Alfie bowling out the home teams opening batsmen with the final ball of his first over.
Owen took 2 bowled wickets in successive overs and Max, Freddie and Kyle took a wicket each to reduce the home team to 31-6 at the 10 over mark and a long way from the target. More accurate bowling by Tommy Barnes claimed the 7th wicket in the next over and Owen claimed his 3rd wicket of the innings in the 16th over to make the score 55-8. Burgess Hill kept it tight for the last 4 overs and closed the game out to secure a 39 run win.
Everyone played a part in a great team performance . Really good to see the positive encouragement of each other out in the field and the sportsmanship shown by our players.