24 run win over Kirkburton sees Thongsbridge Under 11s progress to Quarter Final

A sun drenched Kirkburton awaited Thongsbridge as they arrived on Friday evening. Winning the toss, Thongsbridge, captained by Noah, elected to bat; with the match due to take place on the all-weather pitch the team readied themselves for plenty of scoring opportunities.
The Thongsbridge batting campaign soon got underway, with Teddy and Solomon putting on a masterclass for their team mates on how clear calling and quick, decisive running between the wickets can lay an important foundation. With the deep boundaries, singles were to prove extremely important, which would see Thongsbridge go on to score 28 singles.

Ethan’s time at the crease really showed how much he has developed his batting game of late, top scoring with 17 runs (including 3 fours). During the middle overs Thongsbridge kept the rate ticking over at c. 4 rpo, making the most of the true bounce afforded by the artificial pitch. Frazer was as surprised as the spectators to see the ball career into the base of his stumps, only for the bails to stand their ground – another over survived!

Lily’s time with Yorkshire was also coming to bear, with a number of punches down the ground she batted with notably more time. Adding some important last over runs, Noah managed to find the long-on boundary with relative ease (the same boundary the team manager had said at the start of the match no-one would reach!).

Setting Kirkburton a score of 231, Thongsbridge went into the innings break confident they had set a competitive total, but knowing their bowling would need to be similarly effective.

Thongsbridge 231/10

Thongsbridge’s bowling proved to be as impactive as their batting, picking up thirteen wickets. Solomon started proceedings with up-rooting the opener’s middle stump in the third over. Finnan too managed to pick out off stump then leg stump, before causing the batter to hit their wicket – picking up three wickets in his first spell. Noah and Finnan each took some splendid catches.

Thongsbridge were evidently working as a team in the field, with a great level of awareness shown by all. Mindful of the expense incurred by overthrows in previous games, Thongsbridge worked on underarm throws into the stumps for run out opportunities, with the tactic coming to bear with Finnan getting a direct hit for Kirkburton’s sixth dismissal.

A real team effort on the bowling front meant that six players picked up wickets, Solomon, Finnan, Max, Noah, Ben, Ethan and Lily!

Kirkburton 207/13

For his two catches, two wickets and fourteen runs, Noah picked up a very deserved Player of the Match award. A fantastic game of cricket was had, one where teamwork ensured the win. The Quarter Finals await…