Bexleyheath CC U15 vs Blackheath U15 CC 02/06/19

Bexleyheath CC U15 vs Blackheath U15 CC 02/06/19

Bexleyheath U15 played Blackheath U15 on the 2nd of June 2019 on a lovely summer's morning, with both teams playing in coloured kit. Shrendog won the toss for the first time this season, and put the Heath into bat first. Shrenik and Meggsy went out to open the batting, and started brilliantly with their opening bowler bowling 4 no balls in the over in combination with Shrenik playing some good strokes, flicking and driving, to start with 20 runs in the first over. Things were looking good as Meggsy creamed one through point and the pair was looking well set. However, Meggsy snicked off to a decent ball from the opening bowler to give Blackheath their first wicket of the game, giving him a well earned 9. Out strode George with his first game batting at number three. Although he looked shaky at the start, flashing outside off stump, he smashed a pull shot through backward square leg towards the long boundary for 4 runs. The partnership was building with both the batsmen knocking around singles and doubles, with a couple boundaries from Shrenik. However it didn't last any longer with Shrenik edging a good length ball that nipped away to the keeper, ending up on 35. In came Dowlers, looking to prove to the team that he can bat up the order. The pair didn't last long as George got cleaned up by the off spinner going back to a fuller ball. It was then Sulove who came out to the middle on debut, however he unfortunately didn't last long with the off spinner getting another wicket. Then came Paramveer, who in partnership with Dowlers steadied the ship playing some lovely shots to the boundary, including a glorious drive shot after brilliant footwork down the ground from Dowlers. However a mix up in the middle led to a runout dismissing Dowlers. Subo came and went for two, but Paramveer was still going strong getting to 26 after some big shots. The Heath finished on 114/7 which was easily defendable, with the strong bowling line-up.

Shrenik opened the bowling as usual, beginning with only 2 overs with Tom at the other end bowling through his spell on 4 overs for 16 runs with one wicket. The game got tight due to sloppiness in the field, with this made very clear to us from the words of Nick Dowling on the sidelines. Excellent spells from Kush (finishing on 3 overs for just 7 runs with a wicket to go with it) ,Dowlers (4 overs 21 runs with 1 wicket) and Subo (4 overs 18 runs with 2 wickets). However it was ultimately down to the last 4 overs in which the game was decided. But it all went The Heath’s way, with Sulove Paudel on debut bowling terrifically picking up a vital 3 wickets off of his 4 overs going for 18 runs. There were moments towards the end of the innings where Blackheath looked comfortable, but great character combined with excellent bowling - Sulove in particular - meant that the 9 men Blackheath were skittled out for 104 after 23 overs, bringing the U15’s their 3rd (out of 4) win of the season, placing them in second place behind Beckenham with three games to go. Excellent team performance, and brilliant work under pressure from the boys, to stay cool and provide when it was needed the most.

* Shrenik