U14 - Played 3, Won 2, Lost 1
The U14s came to the island determined to improve on their results here last year at U13 level.
First up was the strong Victoria College - not the best way to ease into a tour - but the U14s knew what they could expect. Unfortunately they were not disappointed.
The 'split-overs' time format favoured by the island sides allowed for the draw to be played out - a useful "get-out-of-jail free" option; but one which yet demands a totally focused approach. Something that the U14s had learnt well from last year's playing experiences here.
The omens were not good however as Victoria College won the toss and elected to bat on their flat College Field wicket. The Rich's bowlers toiled manfully but with steady batting, a quick outfield and short boundaries Victoria College maintained around 4.5 an over, and although Goldsmith (3-33), James (2-29) and Plunkett (1-13) made inroads into the top order batting, bowling such as the more frugal albeit wicketless return from Michael Horwood (7 overs for just 15 runs) would have been far more valuable to the side.
At the 30 over mark the game was well poised at 130-5 and hope was that Rich's might restrict the College to under 150 and a great oportunity to steal a win. However as with a lot of hopes, these were dashed as Victoria College used their option of batting to 37 overs and lower order bat McGrath hit out to post a rapid 49 and take the close of innings total to 183 for 7.
After tea, Rich's openers went to the crease, knowing from last year that the College attack held no demons and runs could be scored by patient application. However, the early losses of Plunkett, Selley and Young left Michael Horwood and the remaining batsmen fighting a rear-guard action. Batting expertly to retain a lot of the strike Michael protected the lower batsmen while keeping alive the faint outside chance that the Victoria College total might still be reached. When he eventually fell for 64, though, the only realistic option was to hang on for the draw, which the tail-enders shepherded, by Haamed Al Hassan (10), nearly managed to do. With just 2.4 overs remaining to the close, Haamed himself was bowled by Bowen and the Rich's defiance ended on 126 all out.
Looking back over the performance, the U14s must have been disappointed as there were a few key stages in the game where Victoria College were let off the hook or given the advantage through lapses of concentration. Key moments that would have surely turned the game in Rich's favour. They determined not to allow that to happen in the remaining two matches.
The next day's game took the side to FB Fields and opponents De La Salle. After a rigorous pre-match warm-up and pep-talk from coach Mr Williams, Oli Goldsmith and his team were in no mood to settle for anything less than a win. Batting first, things wobbled a bit with the second-ball loss of Plunkett but James Selley (35) and Michael Horwood (38) set about building a solid second wicket partnership before Olly Young (66no) pushed the total to 189 for 6, at which point Goldsmith declared with only 31 overs bowled.
The reply by De La Salle never got going as sharp bowling and even sharper fielding sent them packing. An excellent run-out in the first over set the scene and the De La salle batting crumbled to 49 all out. Oli Goldsmith (3-11) and Michael Horwood (3-10) were the key wicket takers.
To the third game at Les Quennevais against the Jersey Island XI. Fielding first, Rich's looked sharp and brilliantly supported the bowlers, all of whom stuck rigidly to line and length, giving nothing away and threatening to take wickets with every ball. The Jersey Islanders found runs hard to come by and after a slow start, began to steadily lose wickets. Most impressive was slow left-arm spinner Alex James, who having removed the stubborn Jersey opener in his first over, proceeded to bowl six maidens in his remaining seven overs to return figures of 8 overs, 6 maidens, 1 wicket for 10 runs. Such was the strangle-hold that bowlers at the other end profited as the batsmen chanced their arm off them and got themselves out. Horwood (3-14) and Selley (3-19) gaining the most benefit from James' guile and flight.
It was fitting that a run-out secured the final wicket as the Jersey Island XI tumbled to 93 all out.
Eminently gettable, yet such small totals are often the cause of major upsets. With Selley and Horwood both falling cheaply for 3 runs a-piece, it was left to Olly Young and Gareth Davies (12) to steady the ship and jangling nerves. Young picked up where he left off yesterday and started stroking the ball all around the ground. Goldsmith came and went in one ball (repeating his last-year 'golden' against the same side - isn't cricket cruel at times!) and Haynes and Baker both repeated the trend of getting out on 3, so it was left to the solid technique of James Parker-Mowbray (6no) to keep one end up while Young continued his relentless march towards 53no and victory for his side by 4 wickets.
So final stats of won 2, lost 1 - a very good tour all things considered and the third day victory over the Island XI a sweet moment of success to treasure.
Well done U14s!
Victoria College - lost by 57 runs
Victoria College 183 for 7 dec (innings closed 37 overs) - Oli Goldsmith 3 for 33, Alex James 2 for 29
STRS 126 all out (30.2 overs) - Michael Horwood 64, Haamed Al-Hassan 10
De La Salle - won by 140 runs
STRS 189 for 6 dec (31 overs) - Oliver Young 66no, Michael Horwood 38, James Selley 35
De La Salle 49 all out (23.2 overs) - Michael Horwood 3 for 10, Oli Goldsmith 3 for 11
Jersey Island U14 XI - won by 4 wickets
Jersey Island XI 93 all out (33.4 overs) - Michael Horwood 3 for 14, James Selley 3 for 19, Alex James 1 for 10, Peter Haynes 1 for 17
STRS 94 for 6 (20 overs) - Oliver Young 53no, Gareth Davies 12
Top wicket takers were ...
Michael Horwood | 20-3-39-6 |
Oliver Goldsmith | 20-4-58-6 |
James Selley | 15.2-0-49-4 |
Alex James | 19-9-48-3 |
Oliver Young | 119 |
Michael Horwood | 105 |
James Selley | 45 |
Oliver Goldsmith | 22 |
Felix Chess | 18.5-2-73-7 |
Robert Paterson | 14-3-40-5 |
Jamie Barker | 13-0-65-4 |
Peter Humphreys | 4-0-31-3 |
Qasim Javed | 16-2-58-3 |
Joe Carolan | 6-0-24-2 |
Andrew Gayler | 10-0-49-2 |
Felix Chess | 49 |
Joe Colonna | 32 |
Peter Humphreys | 28 |
Jack Panton | 26 |
Oliver Ganniclifft | 18 |
Felix Chess | 2 |
Joe Carolan | 2 |
Jack Neave | 1 plus 1 stumping |
Andrew Gayler | 2 |
Oliver Ganniclifft | 1 |
Ed Hambrey | 1 |
Jack Panton | 1 |