Hornchurch U18's v Brentwood U18 Buccaneers - thur 4/7
A beautiful hot summers evening at Hornchurch C.C. saw the second group match for Brentwood U18's. This was against much better opposition than previously and resulted in a raised performance by the Buccaneers and an emphatic win.
Brentwood won the toss and decided to bowl first. The outfield was quick and it looked like it should be a high scoring game. Hornchurch went off like a train at 10 an over. The quicker bowlers were comfortably hit through the line of the ball. Jacobs was aggressive as boundaries came far too frequently, either on the ground or the aerial route, which always get a round of applause. It was the change in the pace of bowling that affected the scoring rate and ultimately the final total. Jamie Coleman arrested the free scoring immediately and, with his first ball, Connor Whetstone bowled Jacobs for 48. Then George Wingrove joined in the all spin attack, bravely taking even more pace off the ball. Pressure grew, chances were taken, wickets fell. The run fest was squeezed and T20 is all about runs. Coleman and Wingrove were the most economical. The Hornchurch opener Keenly was unbeaten on 37 as his side ended on a total of 139 for 5. This may have looked good at one stage, but the Buccaneers knew they had done very well in restricting the opposition.
The Brentwood Buccaneers reply was unstoppable. Douglas Maxwell, Kris Ali and Captain Billy "Digga" Hull had nearly finished Hornchurch off when the biggest Buccaneers of them all, Sam Dawes added the hammer blow drilling one over midwicket over the hedge, over the fencing...we heard it hit something metal. Kris ended on 56 not out, ending the match with a straight six, his Dad was happy, we all heard him. The total was reached in just 14.3 over's, powerful stuff all round from the Buccaneers.
But be warned Buccaneers! stiffer challenges await.