U12 v Holmwood House
On a very clement May day the Woodbridge u12s travelled in buoyant mood to Holmwood House. Woodbridge won the toss and backed themselves with the bat. Scoring in the early overs was steady with Tom Harper and Seb Gifford looking at ease at the crease, and after an acceleration when the second string bowlers came on Woodbridge were on a very healthy 63 for no wicket after 10 overs. After Seb Gifford was unfortunately run out on 26 the whirling blade of Will Franklin came to the crease and the runs continued to flow. Tom Harper retired on an outstanding 50 and Woodbridge closed their innings on 173 for 3 from their 25 overs. With the luxury of healthy runs on the board we were able to throw the ball around and give everyone a bowl – exactly the right thing to do at this level. Jack Christey and Reace Figaji ended up with figures of 1 for 4 and 1 for 13 respectively, while Will Franklin’s pace was always a threat (2 for 34). A good team performance was sealed with run-outs from Tom Turner and Kit Evans Lombe as Woodbridge emerged victors by 11 runs. In truth we were always in control of this match and the boys played with great spirit and determination.
U13A v Colchester Grammar
A victory for the under thirteens away at Colchester on a cold Saturday morning was truly deserved.
A few new faces had joined the team (the match reporter cites absenteeism, marriages, births, bar mitzvah…. and other equally valid reasons). Nevertheless, a happy minibus made the journey out of sunny Suffolk into miserable Essex with a cargo of hope, ambition, belief and very expensive cricketing paraphernalia.
The toss was won and Captain Charles Tetley, after considering the imminent possibility of rain, sleet and snow interfering with back-to-back wins made the wise decision to field first.
Excellent bowling by Woodbridge was the order of the day. Jack Leith was first to strike but, with five wickets and the match ball swiftly and securely in his metaphorical pocket (zipped away in a rather nice bag), Alfie Franklin had found a cloud to be on (five for just 8 to boot). Colchester all out for 51.
The realisation of back-to-back wins was complete (by four wickets) after Harry Rennell (17*) and Captain Charles (19) had made certain that Alfie would have a badly battered ball to take back to Sunny Suffolk.
U14 v RHS
At the end of last half term Woodbridge U14 battled hard to beat RHS by 3 runs in a thrilling 25 over affair.
Woodbridge batted first and started cautiously: George Barker commenced his man of the match performance with 30 runs off 47 balls, and was partnered at the wicket for most of the overs by captain Daniel Davies who guided the team through the remaining overs unbeaten on 38. Unfortunately three quick wickets left Woodbridge with a defendable target of 98 for six, but one a little lower than they would have liked. The bowling and fielding would have to be up to scratch.
The RHS innings seemed to carry a very similar feel to the Woodbridge one with scores constantly within a run or so of each other throughout all the overs. The RHS no. 6 started to pile on the pressure with an unbeaten 38 but great bowling by George Barker (3wkts), Daniel Davies (2 wkts), Oliver Juszt (2 wkts) and Nathan Goddard (1) constantly kept RHS in check. Two great run outs, one by George Barker and the other by Nathan Goddard were also influential in the overall victory. The final two overs saw RHS needing 7 to win but a great penultimate over from Daniel put the pressure back on RHS, now needing 6 to win. Nathan bowled excellently and took the 10th RHS wicket with a great run out and one ball to spare. A deserved win after a few close games lost in the final few overs. A great team effort that all should be proud of.
Woodbridge v MCC
MCC 168 all out (Callum Askins 5 for 62 off 13 overs, Ben Harper 2 for 6).
MCC elected to bat in lovely conditions. The opening bowlers started tightly, and restricted the run flow. Just as the opening stand got going Oliver Whiting made the break through. A superb spell from Callum Askins saw him pick up 2 quick wickets which was followed by debutant Ben Harper, taking 2 wickets in his first over for 1st team. The 1st team were superb and the first time in living memory that we have bowled the MCC out. Unfortunately at the change of innings play was stopped due to hail, sleet and snow and the match was abandoned.
