This week may have seen the start of the Wimbledon tennis tournament but it also saw an epic Under 15 cricket match on the Reed Green. Our first league win resembled a top seed being slayed on centre court! Godmanchester were unbeaten in the U15 Premier Division of the Cambs Youth Cricket League since their switch from the Hunts league and we were yet to record our first victory. The game went down to the wire and our first win delighted our boys, many of whom have worked very hard to improve.
Manager Rich Barlow was forced to shuffle the pack again but we are fortunate to now have lots of U14 and 15 players signed-on having had to concede the reverse fixture due to a lack of availability! We won the toss and elected to field on another nice evening. Charlie Walters (2-14) showed his increased pace and controlled the ball well to prize the wickets of “Goddy’s” openers. Dom Longland and Matt Ladds (2-13) also bowled from the pavilion end and utilised the slope well; Ladds was particularly impressive taking a wicket with his first ball on his league debut!
Just like the previous night the score we had to chase didn’t appear huge, 120 for 5, Walters (53) and Sanderson (32) were conservative in their reply against some menacing bowlers. As per the previous night again Vincent was thrown in at the deep end however he and Archie M stayed calm under pressure to record an eight-wicket victory. Many parents who have seen the previous games will have seen the boys getting closer to victory but I’m sure many didn’t perceive this against a big gun like Godmanchester. The challenge for them now, regardless of availability, is to repeat this level of performance particularly by our change bowlers.
Match report submitted by Richard Barlow.
