U13 S& B
Ormskirk won the toss and elected to bowl (no proportional representation here). We were up against a traditionally strong S and B side who, it is fair to say, have dominated us since the team were at U9 level.
The openers Sam Forrest and Tom Woodland plied their trade with grit and resilience up against Scott Bolton (Lancashire U13 squad member) and N Knight. However the opening pair rode their luck being put down in the deep on no less than 6 occasions. Woody finished his four over spell with figures of 0 wickets 0 maidens 30 runs, which didn't do his fast and accurate bowling justice. Sam faired slightly better with his four overs 0 wickets 0 maidens 15 runs, once again bowling line and length.
The next bowlers trusted with the cherry were Sean Weston, Charles Coldrick and Josh Flynn.
Charles Coldrick showed flashes of pace but despite outstanding effort he struggled against the quality openers.
Josh Flynn finally got the breakthrough in the 13th over when he bamboozled Bolton who skied one straight into the arms of Ryan Williams at Mid off. All credit to him though for an impressive half century. The next batsman in Essex lasted one ball after a mix-up left both batsmen at the bowlers end whilst the Ormskirk Keeper Matty Petterson casually removed the bails.
Sean Weston got a severe battering in his first over going for 16 but he didn't let that get him down and he recovered well trapping H May, S and B's no 4 plum LBW for 5. Sean finished with figures of 4 overs 0 maidens 1 wicket for 28 runs.
Having been set an outstanding target of 113 off 16 overs Ormskirk's openers Tom Woodland and Ryan Williams marched to the crease intent on emulating England's Kevin Pieterson. Unfortunately Bolton had other ideas and clean bowled Williams with his last ball of the first over with a pacey out-swinger that pitched on leg and neatly flicked the bails from the off stump. Ormskirk were unable to recover with no one able to stay with Woodland to form a partnership. By the time he was out for a respectable 32 it was too late for the visitors and despite a quick and undefeated 11 in 8 balls from Sam Forrest they only managed 56. Despite the disappointment of defeat this was a good performance that shows promise for the future. Congratulations to S and B (once again)!!
