Match Report

St Chads v Saxton U13

9th July 2010

With only 10 juniors turning up and traffic problems delaying captain Josh Hesleden, Scott Collins was volunteered to perform the pre match coin spinning duties. This was unfortunate in the circumstances as Josh had spent much of the previous week perfecting the art of ensuring that the coin would always end up as heads. Anyway, the result of the pre match formalities was that we bowled first.

Now much has been said this season about the bowling of wides and no balls. Against TABs the extras total was 44 out of a total of 85!!

Coach and Manager Dave Buck has cut a sad and lonely figure, crying into his beer at The Greyhound on a Friday night muttering to himself “If only we could bowl straight”. People now avert their eyes from him and shake their heads as they whisper to themselves, “He’s the U13s coach you know”.

Drastic measures were called for and at long last specialist bowling coach Hannah Buck was available to give a “masterclass” on the art of hitting the stumps. Hesleden’s action has been re modelled. Jake “brilliant though I say it myself” Barber was actually seen bowling a slower ball. The result was that Saxton only gave away 6 wides and 3 no balls in 18 overs. Excellent bowling from all concerned with wickets for George Fletcher, Josh Otter, Jake Buckle, Josh Hesleden and Jake Barber.

Good bowling needs back up from good fielding and this is an area that has continued to improve throughout the season. In particular George Fletcher was outstanding at deep square leg cutting off run after run and always putting in good return throws. Scott Collins claims that he now never misses the stumps and on the evidence of the last few weeks he may have a point. Lewis Cooke had a good game behind the stumps when drafted in at the last minute. Kyle, Adam and Jake Buckle are now always consistently good in their fielding. As a result St Chads were bowled out for a total of 80.

Saxton needed only 12 overs to get the total with Scott Collins going first for 5 to an LBW decision that looked out even from square leg. Jake Buckle scored a quick 29 and has now perfected the paddle sweep while Josh Hesleden and Charlie Wilson finished the job – both not out at the end of the innings.
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One of the greatest bowlers that Yorkshire and England ever had F S Trueman once said “Coaches ….don’t talk to me about coaches, the only ones that we ‘ad were those that took us t’ Scarborough Festival.” On the evidence of this improvement then you might just have been wrong Fred!